Kejriwal asks CMs to oppose excise duty on jewellery

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday urged the chief ministers of all states to oppose the central government's proposal to levy excise duty on non-silver jewellery.

"I wrote to prime minister a few days back seeking roll back of excise on jewellers. Today, I wrote letters to all chief ministers urging them also to write to PM," Kejriwal tweeted on Saturday.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in his budget speech, had proposed levying one percent excise duty on non-silver jewellery.

Many jewellers and bullion traders associations have been opposing the move and have been on an indefinite strike since March 2.

"I have written to the prime minister requesting him to roll back the excise proposal. I also request you to oppose the excise duty on jewellers and write to the central government in this regard," Kejriwal said in his letter to the chief ministers.