Strike by gold and jewellery merchants in protest against imposition of excise duty and PAC card rule, continued in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. Business worth several crores came to a standstill as the traders remained steadfast on their demand that the government should withdraw its unilateral decisions. They have decided to continue strike till March 17.
A delegation of Bezawada Gold and Jewellery Merchants’ Association and Bezawada Bullion Merchants’ Association led by K.J.S. Prasad and Ch. Jaganmohan Rao took out a rally from Governorpet to Sub-Collector’s office in Vijayawada and submitted a memorandum to Sub-Collector G. Srujana seeking necessary steps to alleviate their plight.
Gold and jewellery merchants in Srikakulam and Narasannapeta towns downed their shutters opposing the rules which would have a cascading impact on the economy.
Srikakulam Gold and Silver Merchants’ Association president P. Sambamurthy and general secretary V. Chandramouli Raju strongly opposed bringing of gold and jewellery businesses under the purview of Central Customs and Excise Departments.
In Kurnool district, Gold, Silver and Diamond Merchants’ Association members shut down their shops and took out a motorcycle rally from Shroff Bazar to the Collectorate.
Association president P. Ramaiah Setty and vice-president B.V. Ramana and Goldsmiths’ Welfare Association president G. Rameshachari said as many as 500 gold and silver jewellery shops in Kurnool were closed in protest.
