A woman labourer named Rachna Goldar from Panna district in Madhya Pradesh has discovered eight diamonds within a week in her leased mine, as per a report by TOI. The stones have been deposited with the local diamond office as per rules and are expected to fetch her around Rs 3–4 lakh through auction, according to expert estimates.
Rachna is a resident of Badgadi village and had obtained a lease for a mining plot in the Hazara Mudda area. According to diamond experts, six of the eight diamonds are of gem quality, weighing a total of 2.53 carats, with the largest stone weighing 0.79 carats. The remaining two diamonds are off-colour but retain some commercial value.
All eight diamonds have been submitted to the diamond office and will be auctioned during the upcoming cycle. Officials noted that this is the first instance in 2025 of eight diamonds being deposited at once. The previous record for the year was seven diamonds.
After the auction, a 12.5% deduction (11% royalty & 1.5% tax) will be made, and the balance amount will be transferred to Rachna’s bank account, as per TOI's report.
Rachna, who has three children, said she hopes the proceeds from the auction will help improve her family's financial situation. Two of her son's work in a private company and a married daughter. Her husband is also employed in the local diamond mines. Speaking to the media, she said, “I will continue working in the mine. This money will help us live better.”
Government rules regarding the diamond mining
Panna is India’s only diamond-producing district, where leases are granted for both government and private lands. Applicants seeking a lease on government land must submit an Aadhaar card, three photographs, and a Rs 200 challan to the State Bank of India branch in Panna. Leases are typically issued within 20 days.
For private land, additional documentation such as a rental agreement or sale deed, along with landowner consent, is required. Mining plots are generally 8x8 metres in size. The extraction process includes digging, sieving, washing, and drying soil to isolate diamonds, making it a task dependent on both effort and luck.
Once diamonds are found, they must be deposited at the local diamond office for official auction. Major traders from cities including Gujarat, Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad participate in these auctions, which are conducted every three months. The government deducts approximately 12% from the final auction price as revenue.
The diamond office in Panna has been in operation since 1961 and continues to serve as the centre for diamond trade in the region.
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(With inputs from TOI)
Rachna is a resident of Badgadi village and had obtained a lease for a mining plot in the Hazara Mudda area. According to diamond experts, six of the eight diamonds are of gem quality, weighing a total of 2.53 carats, with the largest stone weighing 0.79 carats. The remaining two diamonds are off-colour but retain some commercial value.
All eight diamonds have been submitted to the diamond office and will be auctioned during the upcoming cycle. Officials noted that this is the first instance in 2025 of eight diamonds being deposited at once. The previous record for the year was seven diamonds.
After the auction, a 12.5% deduction (11% royalty & 1.5% tax) will be made, and the balance amount will be transferred to Rachna’s bank account, as per TOI's report.
Diamonds will help her financially
Rachna, who has three children, said she hopes the proceeds from the auction will help improve her family's financial situation. Two of her son's work in a private company and a married daughter. Her husband is also employed in the local diamond mines. Speaking to the media, she said, “I will continue working in the mine. This money will help us live better.”
Government rules regarding the diamond mining
Panna is India’s only diamond-producing district, where leases are granted for both government and private lands. Applicants seeking a lease on government land must submit an Aadhaar card, three photographs, and a Rs 200 challan to the State Bank of India branch in Panna. Leases are typically issued within 20 days.
For private land, additional documentation such as a rental agreement or sale deed, along with landowner consent, is required. Mining plots are generally 8x8 metres in size. The extraction process includes digging, sieving, washing, and drying soil to isolate diamonds, making it a task dependent on both effort and luck.
Auction attracts traders from all over India
Once diamonds are found, they must be deposited at the local diamond office for official auction. Major traders from cities including Gujarat, Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad participate in these auctions, which are conducted every three months. The government deducts approximately 12% from the final auction price as revenue.
The diamond office in Panna has been in operation since 1961 and continues to serve as the centre for diamond trade in the region.
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