Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sounded a warning bell for the Surat diamond barons and asked them to take care of their workers in this critical period.

After inaugurating the three-day international exhibition of gems and jewellery — Sparkle 2008, Modi said his government stands by the diamond workers.

“The diamond workers have worked hard for the growth of their unit owners. Now, the time has come for these owners to take care of the workers, as the owners have earned a lot and invested in other businesses," he said.

This came as a surprise to many as they were expecting the CM to announce some bailout package for the meltdown-hit industry. Instead, Modi shifted the onus to the Central government for the beleaguered diamond industry.

He said the Centre-run Hindustan Diamonds should provide rough diamonds to the Surat diamond industry, and in return, buy the polished diamonds for the benefit of diamond workers and unit owners.

In what would come as a major relief to the diamond polishers who had migrated back to their native villages, Modi said they would be given jobs under various rural development schemes.