Diamond industry seeks exemption from power cut

The Rs 50,000 crore diamond industry in Surat has demanded exemption from power cut imposed on industries by the Gujarat Electricity Board to make more power available to the agriculture sector.

On July 18, the electricity board had announced that instead of six days a week, industries will get power for just five days a week, so that the agriculture sector, which is reeling under deficient rainfall, could get more electricity.

The Surat Diamond Association (SDA) has written to the state energy minister Saurabh Dalal, seeking exemption for the diamond industry from the power cut.

The association letter said, "The diamond industry provides employment in huge numbers. Because of the drought-like situation in many places in Gujarat, a large number of unemployed youth have come to Surat in search of employment. To keep the rural economy thriving, it is important to provide employment to such youths."

The letter said, "The number of jobs provided in diamond units is much higher compared with the average power consumed. Just about one HP electricity is required to provide employment to four workers in diamond units, while the ratio is much higher in other industries."

The association's representation said power consumption in the diamond industry is less, while employment provided is much more and hence even if the industry is exempted from load shedding, it would not make much difference to the power deficit.

Surat Diamond Association President Nanu Vanani said, "Power consumption in diamond units is much less than that in other industrial units. Due to deficient rainfall in Saurashtra and other places, there has been a rise in the number of youths travelling from such places to Surat, looking for jobs. If the diamond industry is exempted from load shedding, we would be able to provide employment to many unemployed youths. We have expalined all these in our letter to the minister and we hope that he will give us a poitive response."

Following deficient rainfall at most places in the state, there was a spurt in demand for power in the agricultural sector. Industries are now closed two days every week due to power cut.

The announcement by the Gujarat Electricity Board to reduce power supply to industries to supply it to the agriculture sector has evoked wide-spread resentment from industries.

Several industrial houses have complained that power cut is affecting their production and increasing production cost.