Relief Measures Planned for Struggling Diamond Workers in Gujarat

Surat, Mar 13 (KNN) A day after the All Gujarat Diamond Association (AGDA) submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighting the financial struggles of diamond artisans, the Gujarat government initiated relief measures.

In response to the plea, the CM directed junior education minister Praful Pansheriya, junior home minister Harsh Sanghavi, and additional chief secretary MK Das to assess the crisis and propose solutions.

“We have been tasked with identifying the challenges faced by the diamond industry and its workers and proposing solutions,” Pansheriya told TOI.

AGDA’s memorandum detailed how the prolonged industry slowdown over the past two years has slashed artisans' earnings by 30 per cent to 50 per cent, making it difficult for them to manage household expenses.

The association, representing major diamond hubs such as Surat, Ahmedabad, Visnagar, Palanpur, Junagadh, and Bhavnagar, urged the government to announce an economic relief package.

Key demands include financial support through the Ratna Kalakar Kalyan Board, assistance for school fees, loan repayment relief, wage hikes, and strict implementation of labor laws.

 “We informed the district collector that immediate relief is needed for artisans struggling with falling incomes,” said Bhavesh Tank, vice-president of the Diamond Worker Union Gujarat (DWUG).

On Wednesday, Surat district collector Saurabh Pardhi, along with the labour commissioner’s office, began assessing the crisis. Pardhi held discussions with AGDA convener Dinesh Navadiya, DWUG representatives, and manufacturing unit owners.

The government’s intervention aims to find sustainable solutions to revive Gujarat’s diamond industry and support thousands of artisans facing economic hardship.

(KNN Bureau)