Economy

Budget brings grant for IITs to boost lab-grown diamonds

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Union Budget speech today announced that a research grant will be provided to one of the IITs for five years to encourage the indigenous production of lab-grown diamonds.

“Lab-grown diamonds is a technology and innovation-driven energy-driven sector with high employment potential,” the Finance Minister said in her budget speech.

Lab grown diamonds are diamonds that are produced using specific technology which mimics the geological processes that grow natural diamonds.

The finance minister also announced a reduction in  the Customs Duty levied on the import of seeds used for lab-grown diamonds in order to give the sector a boost.

“The grant provided to IIT for lab-grown diamonds is a positive. The segment has seen a steep 54 percent growth in exports year-on-year, and accounted for 5 percent of total diamond exports in 2022-23,” CRISIL said in a statement.

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

“Buddhism shows world how to counter sectarianism”: President Droupadi Murmu at Asian Buddhist Summit

President Droupadi Murmu graced the first Asian Buddhist Summit, organised by the Ministry of Culture,…

32 mins ago

Pakistan: Teachers agitate over non-payment of salaries for eight months

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has failed to pay the salaries to teachers of non-formal girls'…

40 mins ago

“Whatever the verdict, our relationship with US will only grow”: EAM Jaishankr on US Presidential Elections

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a joint presser with his Australian Counterpart Penny Wong,…

3 hours ago

‘Political space given to extremist forces’: EAM Jaishankar on attacks on Hindu temples in Canada

External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar expressed concerns about the recent attacks on the Hindu temples…

4 hours ago

Coast Guard Chief S Paramesh calls on Navy Chief Admiral, deliberates on ICG’s operational readiness

Indian Coast Guard Chief Director General S Paramesh has called on Indian Navy Chief Admiral…

4 hours ago

North Korea launches short-range ballistic missiles ahead of US elections

Just a few hours ahead of the presidential polls in the United States, North Korea…

5 hours ago