The Rs 30-billion diamond industry in the state of Maharashtra called for a state-wide bandh on October 25, protesting against sales tax authorities. Around 3,000 diamond traders including importers and exporters in the state have claimed severe harassment by the sales authority of the state for the last one and a half months. Bharat Diamond Merchant Association, Bharat Diamond Bourse, Diamond Exporters Association Ltd. and the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India came together for the closure. The decision was taken unanimously by 1500 traders representing above associations who gathered on 19 October to decide on the course of action against the harassment by the sales tax authority in the form of raids.
NSTL
