In an important development, Surat Diamond Association (SDA) and Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to empower diamond workers in Surat in particular and Gujarat in general with social security cards and to provide cutting-edge technology to small diamantaires in 13 diamond polishing centres across the state on Monday.

Surat's diamond industry has become the first unorganized sector in the country to implement social security cards for the diamond workers. The cards were distributed to the workers at a function organised at City Centre at Vesu.

About 25 social security cards containing details about diamond workers like their names, address, blood group, department of work etc. were issued in the presence of GJEPC chairman, Rajiv Jain, and other stakeholders in the industry.

Jain said, "The social security cards would empower the diamond workers to get relief and benefits under various government schemes. The cards will give a separate identity to them. The council has earmarked Rs 1.75 crore worth of fund for the project. Over eight lakh diamond workers in the state will be issued the social security cards free."

Dinesh Navadia, president, SDA, said "We have already prepared 50,000 cards and intend to complete the project in the next one year."

GJEPC and SDA also announced the launch of common facility centres (CFC) in Ahmedabad, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Botad, Visnagar, Junagadh, Jasdan, Deesa, Mahuva, Palanpur, Palitana, Gariyadhar and Savarkundla.

The Central government has approved Rs 40 crore for the CFC project in Gujarat, which aims at providing cutting-edge technology to small diamantaires.

Chandrakant Sanghavi, regional chairman, GJEPC, said, "Surat's diamond industry is using the most advanced technology in diamond cutting and polishing. Small centres do not have this. The CFC project will provide an opportunity to small diamantaires to show their expertise on modern equipment and give better yield."