The Hindu : Policy on value addition in granite industry soon: CM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 01, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Policy on value addition in granite industry soon: CM

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JAN. 31. The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, said the Government will come out with a policy to encourage value addition in the granite industry.

He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the three-day `Stone India-2004,' an international show for mining, processing, machinery and services, at HITEX Exhibition Centre at Madhapur here on Saturday.

Mr. Naidu said the State had 40 per cent of the country's granite deposits, and 20 to 30 varieties were exported from here. Production of granite went up from 40,000 cubic metres in 1991-92 to four lakh cubic metres. He said 17 of the 23 districts had commercially viable deposits. Referring to the improving economic fundamentals, he said India was bound to become a superpower in 40 years. "This is the time to do business with India -- whether it is granites, biotechnology or pharmaceuticals," he commented.

The Union Minister of State for Commerce, Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, assured to consider any proposals for development of the granite industry. K. Vidyadhar Rao, Minister for Commerce, Industry and Export Promotion, observed that the State and Centre should consider "whether rough blocks should be allowed to be exported," and emphasised the need for value addition.

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