‘His Master’s Voice’ often final word for diamond polishers

SURAT: Saurashtra's Patidars have been the backbone of Surat's Rs 80,000 crore diamond industry - be it the polishers or the diamond barons — many of whom have scripted rags-to-riches stories in this El Dorado of India where migrants far outnumber the locals.

Diamond polishing hubs like Varachha, Karanj, Katargam and Kamrej witnessed widespread violence during 2015 Patidar agitation. Even recently, Patidars disrupted campaigning of many BJP leaders. Going by the happenings in Patidar-dominated diamond hubs, it may appear that the BJP could suffer serious reverses. But as far as voting is concerned, there is much more than meets the eye.

The promoters of 100-odd big diamond units with annual turnover between Rs 500 crore and Rs 7,000 crore have a big say, though indirectly, as to who their employees should vote for. The reason is understandable. Most of these big diamantaires hold immense goodwill among their staff due to their welfare policies.

Savji Dholakiya of Hari Krishna Exports is known to shower gifts like cars, two-wheelers, flats and diamond jewellery to his employees. Other barons too have been giving huge festive bonuses and attractive monthly incentives to performers for many years now, thus winning their unflinching loyalty. An efficient worker can earn as much as Rs 2 lakh per month after 10 years of experience. Besides, the education of their children, healthcare etc are also taken good care of.

These big units account for nearly 70% of the total workforce of nearly five lakh diamond workers, with each unit having 3,000 to 7,000 workers. Despite this cash-driven industry being hit by note ban and GST, these policy decisions won't necessarily have a major say during voting. Kishore Pipaliya, 38, a diamond cutter at Hare Krishna Exports, said, "I will vote for good candidates with good national leadership."

When voting days near, there is an indication from the factory promoters that is religiously followed by the employees. Chairman of Venus Jewels, Sevantilal Shah, said, "We don't discuss politics at work but to satisfy the curiosity of our employees and workers, we highlight the steps taken by the government for the development and uplift of the state and the nation."

Of the total nearly 10.5 lakh voters in Varachha, Karanj, Katargam and Kamrej constituencies, nearly 4.63 lakh are associated with the diamond industry, most of them Patidars. Not surprisingly, both BJP and Congress have fielded Saurashtrian Patels on all four seats. The most exciting battleground is expected to be Varachha with Congress fielding former BJP MLA and diamantaire Dhiru Gajera against BJP's Kishore Kanani who has been facing ire of Patidars for quite sometime now.

Hari Krishna's Savji Dholakiya said, "Our employees need not be told whom to vote for. They are not influenced by any political parties but vote on the merits of the candidates and national leaders."

Yogesh Talavia, a young Patidar diamond worker said, "I have seen 'vikas' in my own village in Lathi taluka of Amreli. For me, I will not vote as a Patidar but as a citizen to ensure development in my area."

As far as GST impact is concerned, the 3% tax on polished diamonds and 0.25% on rough diamonds has brought the entire industry in the legal framework. "The fly-by-night operators will perish and only genuine merchants will run the industry," said diamond merchant, Manhar Sutaria in Mahidharpura.

by Melvyn Reggie Thomas via Surat News, Latest Surat News Headlines & Live Updates - Times of India