Surat: Maruti Impex, a prominent diamond cutting and polishing company, announced a temporary shutdown of its operations for three to four months. The decision, communicated via a viral audio message to employees, came just as diamond units in Surat were reopening after the Diwali vacation.
The closure is expected to directly affect around 15,000 workers, including diamond artisans, computer operators, and other staff employed across Surat, Bhavnagar, Amreli, and Junagadh. Employees have been advised to seek alternative work as the company is uncertain when operations will resume. Salaries were paid up to Diwali before the vacation commenced.
Maruti Impex operates over 100 units, some directly owned and others outsourced. The company specialises in natural diamond polishing.
The shutdown follows the health deterioration of the company’s founder, Suresh Lakhani, who suffered a brain stroke three months ago and remains in a coma. Lakhani was the driving force behind the company, overseeing everything from purchasing rough diamonds to sales. In his absence, family members and staff managed operations until Diwali but have now decided to halt activities due to unfavourable market conditions.
Dinesh Navadiya, chairman of the Indian Diamond Institute (IDI), stated, “Lakhani was the sole decision-maker in the company. Without his leadership and given the current challenging market conditions, the management is unable to continue operations. They sustained the business until Diwali despite his absence.”
