The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council organised a “Karigar Conclave”  on July 8, 2017,  to update entrepreneurs and artisans of the jewellery industry on the twin subjects of the GST (which became effective on July 1, 2017) and the proposed Jewellery Parks.   

The conclave was held in the heart of Mumbai’s jewellery district of Kalbadevi and was attended by 700 members of the jewellery trade.

Supreme Kothari of ELP made a presentation on GST dealing with its most crucial aspects    particularly highlighting areas which were specific to artisans and small manufacturers   dependent on job work. Various provisions of GST were explained, with examples, to the participants. The focus was on trying to resolve the main questions on   GST for the successful and effective implementation of the tax regime in the gems and jewellery sector of the country. 

Chairman of the GJEPC Praveenshankar Pandya addressed the conclave highlighting the various benefits of the scheme for Jewellery Parks put forward by the Council. Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, made a presentation on the Indian Jewellery Park Mumbai, which is the first such park envisioned to be set up by the GJEPC.  

The benefits of the Jewellery Parks as highlighted by Pandya are:

• They provide a comfortable working environment and the well-planned units will  create a healthier workplace    
• Facilities like cost-effective  electricity supply, back-up power supply, continuous water supply, restaurants and hotels, business centre, hospitals, canteen etc and security measures will all be included  in the park
• A single window clearance for all permissions for units within it will greatly facilitate businesses based there
• All support goods (like tools suppliers etc) and services (like banks, training centres etc). including a  Common Facility Centre will be based within the Jewellery Park
• The risk of accidents and fire hazards can be greatly reduced and can be also covered under accident insurance policy
• Will lead to an increase in productivity and product quality which will in turn realise a higher value for the product; and thus also make the individual  businesses more profitable

It has been proposed that the Jewellery Park in Mumbai also house a museum, and that Maharashtra’s tourism authorities should promote it as a tourist destination.

Pic Cap: Chairman of GJEPC, Praveenshankar Pandya addressing the Karigar Conclave