The irked the jewelers and the associations in twin cities have called for a bandh, since three days. While the last two days responses were very good. But today there seems to a mixed trend on the issue, in the twin cities. The Union Budget on Friday had proposed the duty on gold imports to be doubled to 4 per cent and excise duty on refined gold to be hiked from 1.5 per cent to 3 per cent. This might result in a price hike of about 6-7 percent, predict market sources on finished jewels. The shops at Abids, Secunderabad and Charminar observed bandh and all shops were closed in these areas. But the bigger shops in Ameerpet and Panjagutta were open today.

A source says that the corporate shops in the Ameerpet and Panjagutta were open on Monday as usual. Even the shops in the malls were also open. This only reflects the divided opinion between of the jewelers on protest.  (With inputs from internet- AarKay)