Surat diamond body in plan to promote workers' insurance

The Surat Diamond Association (SDA) will conduct various programmes in March to promote its insurance scheme for diamond workers.

Called Diamond Workers Medical Research & Social Welfare Scheme, the scheme offers insurance cover for diamond workers at an annual premium of Rs 225. The scheme was launched on April 1.

So far only 11,000 out of the estimated five lakh diamond workers have opted for the scheme.

In a press release, SDA president Nanu Vanani, said: "The insurance scheme introduced by us is completing one year on April 1, but it has not produced the desired result. To create awareness about the scheme, we have decided to organise various programmes and seminars in March."

The release informed that the diamond pockets of Surat have been divided into 12 zones. These include Kapodara, Hirabaug, Ashwini Kumar, Snehmudra, Modi Vihar, Savani, Gotalawadi, Pandol, Mini Bazaar, Matawadi, Mahidharpura Hira Bazaar and Puna.

Zone-wise committees, comprising leading diamond traders of the respective zone, would be formed to create awareness about the scheme among workers, the release said.

As part of the awareness programme, SDA has decided to hold blood donation camps in all the 12 zones on the same day.

The association is also targeting a world-record collection of 12,000 blood units in a single day, the release said.

SDA president Nanu Vanani said, "Our goal is that every diamond worker should be insured. We have paid Rs 1 lakh each to the families to 13 diamond workers, who were insured under the scheme. The workers have to realise that by paying just Rs 225, they can ensure some sort of security for their families, in case of their death."

"Once all diamond workers are insured, the SDA plans to spend Rs 10 crore for setting up primary health centres in 10 diamond pockets of the city," he added.