Jewellers' strike: Kejriwal wants counterparts to write to Modi over excise duty rollback

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged his state counterparts to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a rollback of the 1% hike in excise duty on non-silver jewellery.

Kejriwal shot off letters to all the chief ministers, including those of BJP and Congress-ruled states, in this regard.

"I would like to urge you to lodge your protest against the excise duty on jewellers by writing a letter to the Centre. I believe all jewellers will be grateful for your support," the Delhi Chief Minister said in his letter to all states' CMs.

"Delhi government has strictly lodged its protest against the Centre's move and requested the Prime Minister to roll back the hike in excise duty," he further said.

Earlier, a section of jewellers met Kejriwal urging him to lead a rally at Ramlila Maidan against the budgetary proposal to impose the excise duty.

After the meeting, he had said that the levy of 1 per cent excise duty on non-silver jewellery will lead to "inspector raj and corruption".

The Delhi CM had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a rollback of hike in excise duty.