Mumbai : Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said the Centre was considering the demand made from different quarters to withdraw excise duty on non-branded jewellery.

On his arrival in Kolkata on Friday, Mukherjee was responding to media queries on whether the Centre is considering withdrawal of excise duty on unbranded jewellery in view of demands made from different quarters, as also the strike called by the jewellers.

The Finance Minister has already promised to reconsider the budget proposals to bring unbranded jewelleries in excise duty net.

Mukherjee said there should not be any need for a strike, making a reference to the indefinite strike by the jewellers in West Bengal.