Mangalore : All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation in association with SK District Swarna Vyapari Sangha and DK Zilla Chinnada Kelasagarara Sangha staged protest at Town Hall on Friday March 30 against excise duty, customs duty and TDS charge on the gold.

Addressing the protestors, M Raghunath shet, president of Federation said that the budget, presented on Friday, proposes increase in excise duty on unbranded precious jewellery and doubled the customs duty on standard gold. Doing it again will affect large number of workers and tradesmen. The government should immediately withdraw its decision,’ he said.

Nagaraj Phalke, secretary of the Federation said that earlier too the excise duty was charged for the gold jewellery, and then after the workers protested, CM said that it will be only for the branded jewellery, but did not change till date.

This rule would lead to harassment not only to jewellery owners and traders but also to the workers and common man. The government must immediately remove the levy charged on the gold jewellery, he said.

They also submitted memorandum to Chief Minister, DC Dr N S Channappa Gowda urging him to roll back the new proposal in the Budget.