Higher gold prices curbed demand for the precious metal in Asia this week
Demand is expected at 60-70 tonnes, lowest since Q1 of 2009, when local purchases totalled 41 tonnes
Rising interest rates will lift the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion, while boosting the dollar
Jewellery industry likely to record 5-6% value growth during 2016 calendar yr
Dollar hit a 1-1/2-week high versus a basket of currencies ahead of US non-farm payrolls and the manufacturing purchasing managers index on Friday
Globally, gold fell more than 1%, extending losses for a third day as the dollar strengthened
Globally, gold fell 0.40% to $1,250.99 an ounce in Singapore
The meeting will be watched for clues on the future pace of US rate increases after the central bank hiked rates
Globally, gold fell 0.6% to $1,256.88 an ounce in Singapore
Edible oil imports rising but moderate prices help keep import bill under check in FY2016
Demand for gold ETFs has been steadily falling in the past few years
Spot gold rose $1,282.51 an ounce, its strongest since February 3, 2015
Euro-denominated gold rose 1.4% as the single currency slid a full cent against the US unit
The Budget's announcement of 1% excise duty on jewellery has been the divisive factor
Silver also shot up to reclaim the key Rs 38,000 mark in the face of frantic speculative offtake
Gold prices advanced on Tuesday, supported by a struggling dollar and hopes the US Fed will not raise interest rates at its March 15-16 meeting
Fall in average US earnings lessened expectations the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates at its next policy meeting
The metal has risen 20% this year as volatility in equities and oil prices picked up
Investors can apply for the bonds between March 8 and March 14
Imposition of 1% excise duty on articles of jewellery excluding silver proposed in in Budget 2016-17