Dear Editor,
This refers to the ongoing strike by jewellers and bullion merchants against the re-imposition of excise duty on non-silver jewellery (it had been imposed earlier too, but was rolled back during the Union Budget 2012-13 by then Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukerjee. Creating hurdles in crafting jewellery will not only create problem of unemployment amongst the craftsmen, but will also result in an ultimate wipe-out of this ancient handicraft industry which is a source of export earnings for India.
The Union Government should, therefore, roll back the excise duty which it has imposed with an aim to check the role of black money, where the excise duty projected to be collected from non-silver jewellery will be less than cost incurred made on collecting the same. The jewellers are opposed because they fear the arrival of inspector raj.
SC Agrawal
Delhi
