Date | Fe 02, 2017:

Rajasthan government today urged members of the stone industry to start using updated equipment as it will help in waste management.

Industries Minister of Rajasthan Rajpal Singh Shekhawat said that despite having potential, this industry faces numerous challenges and competition from others (industries) like ceramic and wooden.

The industry members should address this, he added.

"The industry needs to update technologies and to reduce the waste. If you cannot convert waste into wealth, you really cannot sustain," he said at the inauguration of the 9th edition of India Stone Mart here.

"It is competitive market today and to sustain, the processing units, mining units will have to learn the best waste management system. Industry is doing a lot in this direction but still there is need to do more," he said.

He said that despite recession, the stone industry sustained well and growing at around 15 per cent.

Rajasthan, he said, is the leading stone producing state in the county and its share is around 90 per cent in marble production and generates large number of employment.

The minister also asked the stakeholders to make the industry people aware of the GST.

In the international exposition, stone industry is showcasing natural dimensional stones, ancillary products and services comprehensively.

Domestic and overseas producers, exporters and importers, consumers and buyers, experts, technology providers, architects, builders and developers are participating in the event at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) in Sitapura.

A stone artisans' pavilion 'Shilpgram' has also been set up at the India Stone Mart organised by Centre for Development of Stones (CDOS) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The event is supported by the state government.

(Source: http://www.business-standard.com/)