CM of Gujarat Refuses SOPs to Diamond Industry

CM of Gujarat Refuses SOPs to Diamond Industry Dec 29, 2008
- Says it is an unhealthy practice, Diamond Companies should look after Employees

The Economic Times reported that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi refrained from announcing any direct relief package for the troubled diamond polishing industry, addressing the diamond companies he said “You have earned enough, now give it back to your people.”

The industry, which was hoping for subsidy on power and relief package for its skilled workers, instead got a rather crisp round up on how they could help themselves. As far as the relief packages go, the CM said that he could only ‘talk to the Centre’

He said that he would provide alternative employment, training programme and relief to the affected workers directly. “We are the only state to give VAT respite to the diamond industry. And who is the biggest beneficiary of the government’s Jyotigram Yojana (24-hour electricity supply to villages)? It’s the diamond industry. The state government is ready to work as a catalyst, but it is upon the industry to get out of the trouble by modernising itself and add value to its products,” he advised.
He said sops and incentives were not the way to get out of the present crisis. Instead, the industry should sit together and discuss how to move ahead in such turbulent times.

He also suggested a common branding for the Surat diamonds, its marketing and linkage so that it could carve a place in the market. “It is for the industry to identify existing strength in linkages and branding. The government is ready to help them in human resources development and planning. We are also ready to help diamond workers get out of the trouble by absorbing jobless under the Gram Rojagar Yojana,” he said.