The All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF) urged the Union Government to implement uniform 1% Goods & Services Tax (GST) across the entire gems and jewellery sector since such an initiative will bring all jewellery manufacturers under one umbrella. Such action will also help the gems & jewellery sector to promote ‘Make in India’ concept at grass root level and help in getting the sector more organised.

GJF chairman Sreedhar GV said, ''We will be happy if the Government announces the implementation of 1% GST on the gems & jewellery sector to place the sector under a unified umbrella and get it more organised. In fact, the proposed gold monetisation scheme can be successfully implemented once the industry comes under the organised sector and we, at GJF, are keen to support the government policy measures.'' He added, ''As an apex body, we are in touch with Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to promote jewellery exports by creating exclusive jewellery manufacturing hubs in the country.''

Reiterating the GJF demand for the status of National Gems & Jewellery Council, Sreedhar said, ''All members of GJF have expressed their satisfaction over the Government’s new initiatives such as including the gems & jewellery sector in Make in India programme; gold monetization scheme, compulsory Hall-Marking and opening of gold loans to the trade which created a positive environment of doing business at ease.''