Sylhet Correspondent :
The number of unauthorised jewellery shops has increased in the Dakshin Surma depriving the government of revenue and posing threat to environment.Lax inspection by the authorities is mainly responsible for the mushroom growth of the jewellery shops. A random survey shows that there are at least 200 jewellery shops in all the ten Union and three word of SCC at least 200 of them are located in and around the city. Most of the traders have been running their business without trade licence. Thus the government is being deprived of revenue. These jewellery shops use harmful acids in making and washing ornaments, said environmentalists in the district town. The goldsmiths use nitric and sulfuric acids and dump the hazardous chemicals anywhere around their shops, which release harmful fumes in the air.Burning of nitric acid creates carbon monoxide gas that may affect respiratory system and cause other health problems. Most of the new young jewellers said they considered the business more lucrative.
Naraon Karmaker, upazila jewellers’ association’s office secretary, refrained from giving any information regarding the gold business and the shops. Some goldsmiths, seeking anonymity, said many jewellery traders are involved in mortgage and money-lending business with high rate of interest. They are also engaged in Hundi business, they added.
The number of unauthorised jewellery shops has increased in the Dakshin Surma depriving the government of revenue and posing threat to environment.Lax inspection by the authorities is mainly responsible for the mushroom growth of the jewellery shops. A random survey shows that there are at least 200 jewellery shops in all the ten Union and three word of SCC at least 200 of them are located in and around the city. Most of the traders have been running their business without trade licence. Thus the government is being deprived of revenue. These jewellery shops use harmful acids in making and washing ornaments, said environmentalists in the district town. The goldsmiths use nitric and sulfuric acids and dump the hazardous chemicals anywhere around their shops, which release harmful fumes in the air.Burning of nitric acid creates carbon monoxide gas that may affect respiratory system and cause other health problems. Most of the new young jewellers said they considered the business more lucrative.
Naraon Karmaker, upazila jewellers’ association’s office secretary, refrained from giving any information regarding the gold business and the shops. Some goldsmiths, seeking anonymity, said many jewellery traders are involved in mortgage and money-lending business with high rate of interest. They are also engaged in Hundi business, they added.
