More than two months after the Gujarat government unveiled a special financial relief package aimed at supporting the struggling diamond industry and its workforce, the vast majority of applicants—particularly those seeking help with school fees for their children—have yet to receive any assistance.
On Tuesday, the government shared data in the state assembly revealing that it had received 89,948 applications from diamond workers in Ahmedabad, Surat, Botad and Amreli. All had sought financial help for their children’s education expenses. However, as of July 31, 2025, only 170 children—all from Ahmedabad—have benefited from the scheme, receiving a total of Rs. 24.03 lakh. No disbursements have been made to applicants from Surat, Amreli, or Botad, despite the overwhelming number of requests from those regions.
This information came to light through written replies submitted during the Question Hour in response to queries raised by opposition MLAs. The data paints a concerning picture of the package’s implementation progress, especially considering the urgency with which the scheme was originally announced in May 2025.
The relief package was introduced with the goal to cushion the impact of job losses in Gujarat’s diamond sector, which has been in decline since early 2023.
The plan included two main components—support for ailing diamond units to maintain operations, and targeted aid for diamond workers who lost employment after March 31, 2024, specifically aimed at covering school fees for their children.
Under the scheme, the government committed to providing up to Rs. 13,500 per school-going child annually, with funds to be directly transferred to the respective schools via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
However, the rollout has been not be as it was expected. According to the government’s own figures, Surat alone accounted for 70,254 of the total applications—by far the highest number—yet not a single one has been approved or disbursed as of the reporting date.
Responding to a separate question from Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani, the government disclosed that 13,462 applications had come from Botad district and 2,306 from Amreli. Neither district has seen any movement on their claims.
Officials have cited the ongoing scrutiny and eligibility verification process as the reason for the delay, stating that all applications are being carefully evaluated and that assistance will be provided to those found eligible. However, this assurance has done little to alleviate the frustration among affected workers and their families.
Bhavesh Tank, vice-president of the Diamond Workers Union based in Surat, was quoted in the media expressing concern over the growing unrest among unemployed diamond workers. While the schools are pressurising parents to pay the fees, every day he Union receives complaints from from workers who have been out for the months for months together, he had said.
The crisis in the diamond industry, which has been experiencing a prolonged downturn for over two years, shows no signs of easing. With the festive season approaching and the U.S. expected to impose new tariffs post-Diwali, concerns are mounting that the situation may worsen significantly. Tank had opined that further job losses and unit shutdowns are likely if the predicted tariffs come into force, putting even more pressure on an already fragile industry.
Though the government’s initiative was welcomed when announced, its sluggish execution has raised serious questions about administrative efficiency and prioritization. For thousands of affected workers, the relief remains trapped in bureaucratic limbo, leaving their children’s education and future uncertain.
As the backlog grows and schools demand fees, the relief package—originally pitched as a timely intervention—risks becoming yet another promise that failed to materialize for Gujarat’s diamond workforce.
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