Bhai announces “Skill-Enhancement-Aid-Package” for the unemployed Diamond-Artisans

Stipend of Rs.100/ per day for all the Trainees: Unemployed Diamond-Artisans from Surat, Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar are to be covered initially

Chief Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi has announced a Skill Enhancement Training and Aid package for the diamond artisans, who are facing the adverse impacts of global meltdown. Global economy goes on a downward spiral; many diamond artisans are facing the crisis of unemployment. With a view to provide alternate employment and skill enhancing training to such diamond workers, a special relief package is declared.

Under the skill enhancement-aid package, in the primary stage, training and aid would be made available to the meltdown affected diamond workers of Surat, Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar.

Against the wage-loss, unemployed diamond-artisans would get stipend of Rs.100 per day during their training period. Stipend limit is fixed up to Rs.2500/ per month. Training module-Four Months Training Module- is designed to train them for diamond assortment, bruiting, grading of diamonds, planning and making, jewellery making, and other trade related skills. Once they finish the training, State Government would initiate procedures for their loan under Vajpayee bankable scheme, Kutir and Gramodhyog schemes, and Prime Minister's employment programme.

Curricula of Skill enhancement training module are to be decided in consultation with Gujarat Council for Vocational Training and I.D.I of Indian Government. Five institutes have been short-listed. Which includes (1) Indian Diamond Institute, Surat (2) National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad (3) National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Gandhinagar (4) Gujarat Diamond Industries Training Institute, Rakhial, Ahmedabad. (5) National Institute of Jewellery design. Renowned government, non-government and private institutes may be roped in for providing training.

Training institutes are to be paid Rs.2700/ per trainee, for their tuition- fees, certification, exam-fees, procuring training materials and other expenses.

In the first phase, Rs.12 Crore have been sanctioned to train 15000 diamond workers. Director of employment and vocational training and Industries Commissioner will jointly organize and implement the skill enhancement package.

Under the guidance of Principal Secretary Industries and Mines a state-level committee will execute the programme in three cities. A district level committee would function under District Collector, and would explore alternate employment options.