An Ad-hoc National Committee of Domestic Council for Gems and Jewellery consisting 14 Members representing various associations of Gems and Jewellery Sector has been constituted to draft Memorandum and Article of Association and other Rules/Bye-laws of the Domestic Council.

The Government is supporting the process of setting up of Domestic Council for Gems and Jewellery, to encourage and boost domestic gems and jewellery sector.  It is envisaged that the domestic industry would be benefited from such a representative body which would be the forum for highlighting the issues and concerns of the industry that require redressal through policy measures.  Further, with a view to strengthen the Gems & Jewellery industry in the country, the Government has taken a number of steps such as establishment of Special Notified Zone (SNZ); setting up of Common Facility Centres for gem and jewellery sector; announcement of separate ITC HS Code for lab-grown diamonds; and providing financial assistance for participation in international fairs, organizing buyer-seller meets, creation of export related infrastructure, etc. under various schemes of the Department of Commerce to boost the industry.

This information was given by the Minister of State of Commerce and Industry, C. R. Chaudhary, in written replies in the Lok Sabha today.

Domestic council for gems and jewellery to be constituted with government support to represent industry and guide policy. An Ad hoc National Committee of fourteen members has been formed to draft the Memorandum and Articles of Association and rules for a Domestic Council for Gems and Jewellery. The Government supports the Council to provide industry representation for policy redress and has complemented this initiative with measures including Special Notified Zones, Common Facility Centres, a separate HS classification for lab grown diamonds, and financial and export infrastructure assistance under Department of Commerce schemes.