Diamond body suggests setting up units in rural areas

Surat: Improved irrigation and electricity infrastructure is inspiring diamond industry stakeholders to consider reverse migration from Diamond City. A similar demand was raised by the Surat Diamond Association (SDA), the largest body in the country representing the diamond cutting and polishing industry. The SDA demanded that the govt focus on setting up diamond clusters in rural parts of the state to reduce the burden on urban areas. The focus is also to improve the lives of workers employed in diamond manufacturing.
Surat has around 8 lakh workers in the diamond industry, while workers are employed in other cities such as Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Navsari, Botad and Amreli as well. Surat polishes 90% of the world's diamonds.SDA made a representation to chief minister Bhupendra Patel to include their demands in Gujarat's annual budget, which is to be announced soon. The decision was taken at an administrative committee meeting of SDA on Monday. SDA requested the inclusion of schemes to promote diamond polishing units at taluka and semi-rural areas, so that other parts of the state can develop along with Surat.The committee suggested that if proper policies are made, migration to cities can be prevented and taluka- or town-level diamond manufacturing hubs can be developed."In the past, due to drought and poor infrastructure, there were limited employment options in rural areas. Now, with improved irrigation and better facilities, farmers are able to grow crops round the year. If units start in rural parts, they can get work without the need to come to the city," said Jagdish Khunt, president, SDA.Along with the demand to set up such clusters, good internet connectivity, training and skill upgradation for diamond workers, affordable electricity for polishing units started in rural areas, subsidies and tax benefits were also sought. SDA also demanded speedy approval of proposals and local infrastructure support."This will not only create employment opportunities at the rural level but also prevent migration. This is expected to improve the lives of families, where young people can stay with elders and take care of them," added Khunt.A member of the SDA committee, Dinesh Navadiya, chairman of the Indian Diamond Institute, said, "If diamond units are opened in rural areas, sourcing high-value roughs is a concern. Some basic work on lower-quality roughs is possible at the current stage."