Editor’s Note
This article outlines a targeted relief package from the Gujarat government for Surat’s diamond industry, a global polishing hub facing economic strain. The measures aim to support both workers and businesses during the current downturn.
The Gujarat government announced a special relief package for the diamond industry on Saturday, which includes one year of school fees for workers’ children and interest subsidy on capital for polishing units. Home State Minister Harsh Sanghvi made the announcement in ‘Diamond City’ Surat, where 90 percent of the world’s diamonds are cut and polished. The diamond industry is facing a downturn due to international factors. Under the special package, the government will pay one year of school fees for the children of affected diamond workers. Polishing units will receive a one-year exemption from electricity charges.
- The government will pay school fees for workers’ children, up to a maximum of ₹13,500 per student annually.
- Polishing units will be exempted from electricity charges for one year.
- Interest subsidy will be provided on capital up to ₹5 lakh for three years.
Additionally, the government will provide an interest subsidy for three years on capital of five lakh rupees. Sanghvi described the package as a crucial step to provide financial relief to diamond workers and polishing units in the state and to maintain the stability of the industry. An industry insider had told PTI-Bhasha last year that approximately 10 lakh people work in about 4,000 polishing and processing units in Surat.
The minister stated that diamond industry workers who lost their jobs after March 31, 2024, will be eligible for this assistance. He said that to be eligible, workers must be over 21 years of age and have at least three years of experience working in a diamond factory.