Pune Saraf Association claims `200 crore business was lost on Monday.
The local body tax (LBT) strike dampened the spirit of Akshaya Tritiya in the city as people were unable to make the customary purchase of gold with jewellery shops remaining closed.
Sale of gold reaches its peak on Akshaya Tritiya every year as it is considered one of the three muhurats (auspicious occasions) in the year. Akshaya means unending or eternal and since the yellow metal is considered a symbol of prosperity, people buy gold on Akshaya Tritiya with the belief that the purchase on the auspicious day is an omen of unending prosperity. This year, people looked forward to purchasing gold as investment too as gold prices have fallen.
Pune Saraf Association president Fatehchand Ranka said that the jewellers in Pune had ensured a total market bandh that hampered business of around Rs200 crore in the city as far as Akshaya Tritiya is concerned. He said there are 1,100 members of Pune Saraf Association and not a single shop opened on Monday.
IT professional Sai Prasad (27) had withdrawn his fixed deposits last month as he planned to purchase gold for his marriage as its rate has fallen. He said, “I am getting married in October. Therefore, I had planned to purchase gold on the auspicious occasion. But I was unable to purchase anything as the shops were closed.”
Sheela Gite (55), a resident of Kondhwa, said, “This is an auspicious occasion day for our family. We have been purchasing gold for the past many years. I was looking forward to purchasing gold as I wanted to get the ears of my grandson pierced and I wanted to buy gold earrings for him. Because of the LBT strike, I was unable to fulfill my dream.”
Bhavika Gaikwad (48), resident of Hadapsar, was taken aback when she saw all the gold shops in the city were closed. She said, “In my wildest dreams, I did not think that the shopkeepers will keep their shutters down on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. I checked all the shops in the city, but not a single one was open.”
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