The New elected Chairman Nitin Khandelwal, Vice Chairman Pramod Agrawal and the new Committee of Administration (COA) officially took charge of the administration of All India Gems & Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF) at a glittering ceremony coinciding with the 8th edition of Jewel Trendz Gems & Jewellery Show at Hotel Sahara Star. G. V. Sreedhar, immediate Past Chairman, GJF, passed on the coveted mantle to the new administration.

Nitin Khandelwal, Chairman, GJF, said, “It is an honour to accept the responsibility of steering a national trade federation and apex body like GJF during challenging times facing the gem and jewellery sector. In sync with the Government’s policies, GJF has to transform and energise jewellers across India to a new normal in a rapidly evolving cashless and digital India. The new challenges include newer tasks such as transition into a GST-regime and tax compliant economy and existing ones of creating new markets and sustainable profitable growth. GJF will strive to inspire many more jewellers and their association to get more organized so as to project a unified approach to policy changes. We want to increase our membership in rural India and increase activities for members through an inclusive approach.”

G V Sreedhar, Immediate Past Chairman, GJF, added, “GJF’s priority is to be a friend, philosopher and guide to jewellers, who are grappling with diverse issues such as manufacturing-outsourcing, skilling, hallmarking, PAN card, retail and marketing related investments, financing their business, documentation-compliance and restrictions/ limits on cash transactions. Since the Government is very keen to implement most of its policies, jewellers will have to represent their case to the policy makers through apex body GJF and simultaneously learn to adhere to the prevailing norms. GJF will always strive to work with the Government for the benefit of the Industry.”

Elected through e-Voting, the 18-member Committee of Administration (CoA) of GJF comprises Zonal Chairmen - Shankar Sen (East Zone), Vijay Khanna (North Zone), N. Anantha Padmanaban (South Zone) and Nitin Khandelwal (West Zone). The entire e-Voting election process was conducted by an authorized independent person (Chief Election Authority), and the voting platform was created by a digital agency, both appointed by GJF. The electronic voting facility conducted hassle-free election of various panel and zones.