Owners to shut down jewellery shops today

Sunday, March 18, 2012: Protesting against Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s announcement in the Union Budget which proposed duty on gold imports will be doubled to four percent and excise duty on refined gold increased from 1.5 per cent to three percent, jewellery shops in the State will remain shut down today.
The Jewellery Associations alleged the hike by the Centre will ruin the sales as the price will increase by about 6-7 per cent on the finished jewels.