As the jewellers' strike entered Day 26, the finance minister sought to allay concerns by saying that small traders will not be harassed for excise duty.
Traders body CAIT and All India Bullion Jewellers and Swarnkar Federation (AIBJSF) have said they will not withdraw their strike till the time government rolls back the proposal to impose 1% excise duty on non-silver jewellery.
The strike by a section of jewellers to protest against the proposal entered Day 27 on Monday.
The announcement of holding an indefinite strike came even as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley sought to allay concerns of the community by saying that jewellers will not be harassed over the 1% excise duty. Jaitley assured he will "walk the extra mile" to make sure small traders are not harassed.
However, even while he did so, Jaitley remained firm on taxing luxury items. "A luxury item must pay its share of taxes. So on procedural harassment, if they have any suggestions, I am willing to accept for simplification so that there is no harassment... I am willing to take an extra step. But indefinitely India can not have a situation where luxury items go untaxed," Jaitley said.
Releasing a white paper on the issue, representatives of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and IBJSF urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Arun Jaitley to intervene in the matter to resolve the issue.
"We have been on strike for last 26 days and will continue to do so for (an) indefinite period till the time government rolls back its decision," All India Bullion Jeweller & Swarnkar Federation President Praveen Goel said.
He said that the worst affected with this proposal are daily wage artisans.
Meanwhile, Jaitley has offered to walk the extra mile to ensure that small traders are not harassed but made it plain that luxury items cannot go untaxed.
"A luxury item must pay its share of taxes. So on procedural harassment, if they have any suggestions, I am willing to accept for simplification so that there is no harassment... I am willing to take an extra step. But indefinitely India can not have a situation where luxury items go untaxed," Jaitley said.
CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said that the government should, at least, put its decision on abeyance till the issue get resolved.
Khandelwal also said that the committee which was formed by the government on the issue should have equal participation from the traders.
"Government should take traders into confidence and open the door for discussion on the matter. Traders are not running from paying taxes. The profit of traders are very low and 1% levy is very high," he said.
Refuting the allegation of black money generation in the jewellery trade, he said the trader is not the source of black money.
Although AIBJSF is continuing with the strike, three major associations - GJF, ABJA and GJEPC - called off the stir on March 19 after government's assurance that there would be no 'inspector raj'.
The government has constituted a panel under former Chief Economic Advisor Ashok Lahri to look into the demands of jewellers.
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