Granite, marble exports at Rs 2,989.84 cr during Apr-Sep '06

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) Exports of granite, marble, sand stone and other products during fiscal 2005-06 and the first six months of 2006-07 stood at Rs 4,561.99 crore and Rs 2,989.84 crore respectively, Minister for Mines Sis Ram Ola said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

He said the natural stone quarrying industry in India to a large extent is using the latest technology of controlled blasting which causes least damage to the stones.

This technology is used in advanced countries like Australia, Canada, the US and Sweeden for mining of granite, marble, sand stone and other building stones, he said.

Mr Ola said the Government has notified Granite (Conservation and Development) rules in 1999 and marble Development and Conservation Rules in 2002 for conservation, systematic development have been empowered to make rules for regulating the grant of quarry lease and mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals and for purposes connected therewith.

Responding to another question, Mr Ola said as per available information, mining of bauxite is not reported from Andhra Pradesh and consequently there is no threat to the population, environment and ecology of the region and so there is no reason for conducting any survey in this regard, he added.

UNI