Uddhav Thackeray -led delegation likely to meet PM

Amid heavy business losses, the jewellers’ strike in Maharashtra and India entered its 32nd day on Friday. However, with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray announcing his support for the jewellers, a delegation led by him is likely to meet the Prime Minister on April 4 or 5 to solve the impasse.

The jewellers are striking against the one per cent excise duty levied upon jewellery in the current budget. The duty, applicable from March 1, has excluded non-studded silver jewellery.

Ranka Fatechand, president of Maharashtra Rajya Saraf Suvarnakar Federation, said that the losses were tremendous.

“We however received a respite when Uddhavji announced his support to our cause. He will be leading a delegation of jewellers to meet the PM on April 4 or 5. If there is no result, he will lead a national-level jewellers’ rally in Mumbai,” Mr Fatechand said.

During a meeting with delegates from various jewellers’ associations in Mumbai on Wednesday, Mr Thackeray had criticised the Centre for not opening dialogue with the jewellers. Mr Fatechand also said the daily jewellery turnover in the country is around 2,500 kg, worth about Rs 750 crore. There are about 8,000 jewellery shops in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, excluding Thane rural, and about 50,000 shops in Maharashtra.

Nashik Saraf Association president Rajendra Odhekar said the strike continued through the marriage season. “It affected the livelihood of gold workers and also the marriage parties, who could not buy gold. Now the season is nearly over,” he said.