Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Monsoon is considered as the best season to find diamonds from shallow mines of Panna district. But one would be surprised to know that from the beginning of July till date, only half-a-dozen diamonds, mostly of small size have been deposited at the local diamond office.
One of the most probable reasons behind less diamond being deposited is that many diamond diggers are not interested to wash the excavated mud of shallow diamond mines to find out the shinning gems. They have kept this entire process on hold until the sluggish diamond market shows some signs of improvement.
When contacted, Ravi Patel, the diamond officer of Panna said that he came to know that some diamond diggers have kept the process of washing excavated mud of diamond mine on hold and decided to carry out the washing process later.
They seem to be waiting till the period when diamond market gets a shot in the arm. Otherwise, it is compulsory for one to deposit diamond at the diamond office within 24 hours of diamond discovery.
He informed that since July till date, only six diamonds, one weighing 7 carat and another 11.95 carat were deposited. He added that after rainfall, at least ten to fifteen sunny days are needed to wash and dry the mud to identify the diamond.
Diamond digger Prakash Majumdar, whose two diamonds were sold out at a whopping Re 1 crore, said that rainfall is taking place every day in Panna and there is no time to wash and dry the excavated mud. Once the spell of bright days begins, diamonds would begin to be deposited at the diamond office automatically.
Two years back, diamonds were abundant in Panna. Even pedestrians came across diamonds while walking on roads and in jungle areas.
