CM directs chalking out relief measures for distressed diamond industry

Surat: The Gujarat government initiated action a day after the All Gujarat Diamond Association (AGDA) submitted a representation to chief minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar on Tuesday, highlighting the acute financial distress faced by diamond artisans due to a prolonged industry slowdown over the past two years.
Following the plea, the CM directed junior education minister Praful Pansheriya, junior home minister Home Harsh Sanghavi, and additional chief secretary MK Das to assess the situation and explore possible relief measures.
In response, the Surat district collector and the labour commissioner's office began evaluating the crisis. On Wednesday, collector Saurabh Pardhi held discussions with representatives of the diamond industry, including AGDA convener Dinesh Navadiya and office bearers of the Diamond Worker Union Gujarat (DWUG), who had recently submitted memorandums to the government.
"We have been tasked with identifying the challenges faced by the diamond industry and its workers and proposing solutions," Pansheriya told TOI.
Navadiya said that the collector's office is preparing for discussions with industry stakeholders and that he provided key details about association leaders, manufacturing unit owners, and representatives of diamond artisans.
In its memorandum to the CM, AGDA highlighted that artisans' earnings have dropped by 30% to 50%, making it difficult for them to meet household expenses. The association, representing diamond hubs like Visnagar, Ahmedabad, Palanpur, Junagadh, and Bhavnagar, urged the government to announce an economic relief package.
"We informed the district collector that diamond artisans need support through the Ratna Kalakar Kalyan Board, assistance for school fees, and loan repayment relief. Our key demands also include wage hikes, wage fixation, and the proper implementation of labor laws," said Bhavesh Tank, vice-president of DWUG.