Jewellers on strike against HUID

Over 15,000 jewellers across Gujarat kept their businesses shut on Monday as they joined the nationwide strike against the implementation of Hallmarking Unique ID (HUID) system, industry stakeholders claimed. The token strike against HUID was called by the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) and supported by various associations across the country, including Gujarat. The Centre on Monday said there was "no impact" of a nationwide strike called by a "very small section of jewellers" against gold hallmarking rules. However, 350 associations and federations including All India Gems and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) which supported the strike said they received a "strong response" as most shops barring big corporates remained shut for the day.

In Ahmedabad, nearly 6,000 jewellery shops and showroom owners joined the strike demanding a simpler hallmarking process, claimed Jigar Soni, president of the Jewellers' Association of Ahmedabad."The call for strike was received well as majority of the jewellers kept their businesses shut," he said. Besides Ahmedabad, all prominent jewellery markets in Rajkot and various other cities also wore a deserted look since morning as shops remained closed.