20:40
(IST), May, 13
Gold rate today: Jewellery traders flag business impact after gold import duty hike, suggest domestic gold scheme
Jewellery traders have reacted to the Centre's decision to raise customs duty on gold and silver from 6 per cent to 15 per cent, saying the move has sharply increased prices and may affect business in the bullion trade.
Kailash Mittal, President, Jaipur Bullion Traders Committee, told ANI that gold and silver prices rose by around 10 per cent after the duty revision, adding that market activity was already weak before the increase.
"The central government suddenly announced at night that customs duty on both gold and silver had been increased from 6 per cent to 15 per cent. As a result, gold prices surged by 10 per cent and silver prices also rose by 10 per cent at the same time," he said.
He said trade had already fallen by nearly 50 per cent and estimated that another 25 per cent of business could decline, particularly after the wedding season.