Surat: In a major step to support Gujarat's struggling diamond industry, the state government on Saturday, May 24, 2025, announced a comprehensive relief package aimed at providing financial assistance to unemployed diamond workers and micro diamond units. The announcement came 74 days after a meeting held between Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and representatives of the All Gujarat Diamond Association on March 11.
As per agency report, Minister of State for Home and Industries Harsh Sanghavi, while announcing the package, said that children of diamond workers who have been unemployed since March 31, 2024, will receive an education fee waiver of up to ₹13,500 for one academic year. The benefit will be transferred directly to eligible beneficiaries through the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) system, provided the worker had at least three years of experience in the diamond industry.
The diamond sector in Gujarat, particularly in Surat, has been hit hard over the past three years due to global factors including an economic slowdown in the United States and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. This downturn led to massive job losses, triggering protests and even some tragic incidents of suicide among affected workers.
To support micro-scale diamond units, the government will offer a term loan of up to ₹5 lakh with an interest subsidy of 9 percent for three years from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. Additionally, such units will be exempt from electricity duty for one year starting July 1, 2025.
Interested units must apply within a month at the District Industries Centre by submitting documents including business registration, loan sanction letter, GST registration, turnover records for the past three years, and electricity usage data.
Eligibility criteria include registration before March 31, 2025, classification under the micro-enterprise category (with plant and machinery investment under ₹2.5 crore), and a reduction of at least 25% in electricity consumption in 2024–25 compared to the previous year.
To ensure transparent implementation, the state has formed a District-Level Approval Committee chaired by the District Collector. The committee will include officials from labor, employment, education departments, a lead bank, and representatives of the diamond association. The District Industries Centre’s general manager will serve as the committee secretary, and the committee will meet at least twice a month.
The announcement event at Surat Circuit House was attended by Harsh Sanghavi, Surat Mayor Dakshesh Mavani, BJP city president Paresh Patel, MP Mukesh Dalal, MP Prabhu Vasava, Forest and Environment Minister Mukesh Patel, Education Minister Praful Pansheriya, and leaders Sandeep Desai and Pravin Ghoghari.
This relief initiative is expected to bring much-needed economic and social stability to the diamond industry and its workforce across Gujarat.
