Surat tops list with 70,254 diamond polisher applications for govt assistance

Minister Balvantsinh Rajput informed that a total of 170 applications from Ahmedabad had been approved, and an amount of Rs. 24.03 lakh had been disbursed. However, the remaining applications in Ahmedabad, Surat, Amreli, and Botad are currently undergoing the verification process.

On May 22, the Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, while addressing the media in Surat had announced a special relief package for the diamond industry, which is currently undergoing a recessionary phase. The package includes multiple provisions like the government paying school fees for the children of the diamond polishers who have been jobless for the last year. The maximum amount to be paid is Rs. 13,500 per student for one year. A diamond polisher should have at least three years of work experience to be eligible for the relief.

Reacting to the issue, Surat District Collector Dr Sourabh Pardhi said, “We have received a grant from the state government. As of now, several forms are undergoing the verification process. The Surat Diamond Association will do the verification process. Once the verification process is over, we will start distributing the amount to schools.”

On Wednesday, Surat District Collector Dr Sourabh Pardhi held a meeting with Surat Diamond Association President Jagdish Khunt and Industries Department officials, instructing them to initiate the verification process.
Sources stated that all 70,254 forms are with the SDA, and its president, Khunt, had earlier complained to the District Collector about the facing staff crunch.

Confirming the same, SDA President Jagdish Khunt said, “ How are we supposed to verify so many forms with limited staff? The entire responsibility has been put on our shoulders. We have decided to outsource people who would be paid on a daily basis.”

He added, “We will start the hiring on Thursday. As of now, we are planning to hire 50 people. We will provide them space in our office building and bear all their food expenses. Depending upon the workload, we might increase the staff strength but we will take the financial constraints into account. We cannot say exactly how much time it will take n to complete the work. Once the forms are cross-verified, we hand them over to the Surat Industries Department officials, who later forward them to the Surat District Collector for the amount disbursal.”

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Dr Tushar Chaudhary, said, “Surat has topped the state with the highest number of applications received as the district has been the worst affected”. He said, “Till date, not a single penny has been disbursed by the state government in Surat, Amreli, and Botad. The lives of diamond polishers are pitiful, and they struggle for survival. The government should take an active interest and get the work done speedily, as Diwali is round the corner and several factories will be closed.”

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