(IDEX Online) - Jewelers in India's Maharashtra state are lobbying the government for permission to open, despite a Covid-ban on all but essential businesses.April is traditionally a busy month, with Gudi Padwa (Hindu lunar new year) and a number of other harvest festivals, as well as the start of the wedding season.Maharashtra, with a population of 110m, currently has a night-time curfew and weekend lockdowns but is expected to announce a full lockdown in coming days.The trade body All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) has made representations to the state's chief minister, warning that retailers will miss out on a sales spike of up to 40 per cent.Meanwhile Mumbai's Bharat Diamond Bourse - the world's biggest - is reportedly working at 20 to 30 per cent capacity, with strict Covid rules.