Business
GST relief for gems sector: Small diamond imports exempted from IGST; jewellery box tax cut to 5% – The Times of India
The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) on Friday said that recent GST reforms have delivered significant relief to the diamonds and jewellery sector, easing costs for both exporters and consumers.The government’s move to exempt imports of natural cut and polished diamonds up to 25 cents under the Diamond Imprest Authorisation Scheme (DIAS) from the 18% IGST will ease working capital pressures and support small-diamond processing units, the council said, PTI reported.It added that the GST reduction on jewellery boxes from 12% to 5% would lower costs for retailers and exporters while making packaging and gifting more affordable for buyers.
“These measures will stimulate domestic demand and provide a cushion to our export supply chains, which are under pressure due to global challenges,” GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali said.Bhansali stressed that the industry remains committed to ensuring that benefits, including reduced costs for jewellery boxes, are transparently passed on to consumers, reinforcing trust and supporting long-term growth.According to the council, these reforms, coupled with GST cuts in allied sectors such as handicrafts, leather goods and packaging, will strengthen India’s jewellery ecosystem by lowering operational costs, enhancing affordability and boosting global competitiveness.“These measures reinforce India’s position as a leading hub for diamond processing, jewellery design and exports,” the GJEPC said, adding that the sector is confident the reforms will deliver broad-based benefits, supporting both domestic growth and export resilience.
new video loaded: How Kharg Island May Change the Trajectory of the Iran War
By Peter Eavis, Gilad Thaler, Edward Vega, Lauren Pruitt and Joey Sendaydiego
March 25, 2026
Crude rose back above $100 a barrel as the US and Iran clashed over bringing the conflict to an end.
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President Donald Trump said he’s considering sending the National Guard to U.S. airports, two days after the administration deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to several major U.S. airports following hourslong waits for travelers because of the partial government shutdown.
In a Truth Social post Wednesday, Trump blamed Democrats for the shutdown, which began Feb. 14.
“Thank you to our great ICE Patriots for helping. It makes a big difference,” he wrote in his post. “I may call up the National Guard for more help.”
Travelers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Elijah Nouvelage | Bloomberg | Getty Images
More than 11% of TSA officers called out on Wednesday and over 450 have quit since the shutdown started, the Department of Homeland Security said.
Elevated absences of Transportation Security Administration officers, who are required to work though they’re not getting paid during the shutdown, have contributed to long lines at major U.S. airports, including in Atlanta, Houston and New York.
The DHS, which oversees both ICE and and the TSA, said the ICE agents will “support airports facing the greatest strain” but the department didn’t respond to requests for comment on what the ICE agents’ duties are. ICE agents are getting paid in the shutdown.
Airlines have been warning customers about potentially long security lines, while executives grow increasingly frustrated with lawmakers about the impasse. On Tuesday, Delta Air Lines said it suspended its airport escorts and other special services for members of Congress and their staff because of the ongoing partial shutdown of the DHS.
The shutdown comes as Democrats in Congress have demanded changes to how federal immigration enforcement operates in exchange for releasing DHS funding after two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis.
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