According to the Economic Times, in the villages of Bahoya, Adsang, Bagda, and Abhrampara near Amreli, in Western India the diamond cutting and polishing industry had faltered due erratic power supply. Large-scale migration ensued, but nine years later, in the present time, business is flourishing. The 24/7 power supply ensured by the Jyotigram Yojana caused many of the diamond units, most of which now operate from houses, to thrive once again.
“There were 200,000 diamond workers in these two districts about eight years ago, which has now gone up to 300,000s,” says Chandu Sheta, senior office-bearer of Surat Diamond Association (SDA). “Many of them are those who quit their jobs in Surat.” There continues to be an influx of business units in Saurashtra. Bhupat Patel, chairman of Jogani Diamond Exports, set up three more units in Liliya village of Amreli. Naresh Gabani, a diamond unit owner in Mahidharpura, explains, “Earlier, we faced a lot of difficulties because of the power situation. Now, though, we are getting round-the-clock electricity. I have been able to employ over 50 diamond workers from my village.”
Backup generators were a common sight in these parts 7 years ago. “But they are seldom used now,” says Vitthal Mendapara, president, Bhavnagar Diamond Association. “
