Jewellers strike: Why the government should not bend to pressure

The ongoing strike by the Jewellers has now taken a political turn with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress President Rahul Gandhi extending support. Both the politicians have criticized the government for imposing the tax on ‘poor’ jewellers. This is not the first time excise duty was levied on the sector. In 2012, then finance minister P Chidambaram imposed a duty but after a 21 day strike by jewellers, rolled it back.