One lakh diamond workers in Saurashtra lose jobs after US tariff hike
New Delhi: Nearly one lakh diamond cutting and polishing workers in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region have lost their jobs since April, following the imposition of a 10% base tariff by the United States. The situation has worsened in the past 10 days after the tariff was raised to 25%, with a 50% rate expected from August 27, according to Gujarat Diamond Workers Union (DWU) vice-president Bhavesh Tank.
Small-scale units in Bhavnagar, Amreli, and Junagadh have been the worst affected. Orders from the US have been paused or cancelled since the Donald Trump administration announced steep tariffs on Indian goods. In 2024, India supplied 68% of the US’s diamond imports by volume and 42% by value, worth $5.79 billion, as per the Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).
GJEPC data shows that cut and polished diamond exports fell 22.72% in the first quarter of FY 2025-26 compared to the same period last year, dropping to $2.83 billion from $3.67 billion. Workers in the sector typically earn ₹15,000–20,000 per month, and while some may shift to the lab-grown diamond industry, most face uncertain futures.
“The US is our largest market, accounting for over $10 billion in exports. Such a tariff hike threatens to bring the industry to a standstill,” GJEPC chairman Kirit Bhansali said.
Most Indian goods are currently facing a 25% US tariff, with the additional 25% penalty set to take effect on August 27. The diamond industry is among several labour-intensive sectors expected to bear the brunt of the move.
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Man arrested for for raping mute woman in Jamshedpur
Jamshedpur (PTI): One person was arrested on the charge of raping a 30-year-old woman with speech impairment in Jamshedpur, a police officer said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred in the Azadnagar police station area of the city, and a case in this regard was registered based on the statement of the victim's brother on Monday.
The victim had gone to fetch water from the premises of a company on Monday evening. When she did not return even after a considerable time, family members went out in search of her and caught the accused red-handed, police said.
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The accused was a caretaker of the company.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Patamda) Bachandeo Kujjur said due to scarcity of water in the area, the victim used to fetch water from the premises of the company.
