Editor’s Note
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has pledged state support to elevate the local stone industry to a position of national preeminence, citing its unique global identity. His remarks came at the opening of the India Stone Mart-2026 exhibition in Jaipur.
Jaipur. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has highlighted the unique identity of the state’s stones on the global stage and stated that the state government is committed to strengthening this industry, which will now be made the pinnacle in the country.
Sharma was addressing the inaugural session of the international exhibition India Stone Mart-2026, organized at JECC in Jaipur on Thursday. He said that Rajasthan’s stone has been used in many prestigious institutions, forts, and palaces across the country, and now this stone industry of the state is fully ready to reach new heights. He also appealed to all entrepreneurs to work together to make the stone industry the pinnacle in the country.
He congratulated CIDOS, RICO, and Laghu Udyog Bharati for this grand event. He said that for the first time, this Stone Mart has featured website creation in over 26 international languages, a digital mobile application, and an exhibition organized over a vast area.
The Chief Minister said that under the visionary and skilled leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is emerging as a global manufacturing hub. The ambitious vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Self-Reliant India’ has given industries a new direction and new confidence. He said that Indian granite, marble, and sandstone are famous worldwide. India is also becoming a center for value addition and innovation alongside being a stone exporter. Our companies are rapidly emerging as global institutions. This is a golden opportunity for our industry to grow at a fast pace.
Sharma said that the state government has worked to create an investment-friendly and policy-stable environment for all types of industries, including the stone industry. Innovations like the single-window system, strengthening industrial infrastructure, improving logistics, and simplifying processes enable entrepreneurs to easily establish their ventures here without hassle. He said that our government has implemented many policies, making it easier to invest and opening several new avenues for economic growth, innovation, and employment generation.
He said that out of the MOUs worth 35 lakh crore made under the Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit, work on 8 lakh crore has already begun.
He said the state has abundant mineral wealth, with a total of 85 types of minerals available. Stones from Makrana marble, Kishangarh marble, as well as Rajsamand, Jalore, Udaipur, Dungarpur, and Banswara are famous worldwide. Rajasthan not only has rich resources but also a centuries-old tradition of craftsmanship. Additionally, the art of our artisans is world-renowned. Our stone is gaining international acceptance as an environmentally friendly, durable, and quality construction material.
He said that for our government, the safety and respect of workers is the highest priority. At the same time, modern safety equipment, skill training, a better work environment, and fair wages are being ensured for the workers.
Sharma said that during the previous government’s time, there was no clear policy for industries, which led to industrialists migrating to other states and reduced employment opportunities for youth. However, our government is carrying out every task with fairness and transparency. He said our resolve is to make the state’s economy a 350 billion dollar economy by the year 2030.
On this occasion, Industry and Commerce Minister Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore said that under the able leadership of Shri Sharma, the state government is eager to advance the stone industry. The state government is providing relief to entrepreneurs through various innovations, including new investment-oriented policies, single-window clearance, and simplification of processes. He said this India Stone Mart will prove helpful in taking entrepreneurs associated with the state’s stone to the global stage.
During this, the Chief Minister honored Anil Chaudhary, Director of Shriram Mega Structure, and Mukesh Chandra Agrawal, Managing Director of Ever Shine Marbles, with the Lifetime Achievement Award for notable work in the stone sector. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the India Stone Mart 2026 exhibition by cutting the ribbon and inspected the stalls.
On this occasion, Education Minister Madan Dilawar, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, All India Organization Secretary of Laghu Udyog Bharati Prakashchand, Chairman of RK Marbles Ashok Patni, representatives from Iran and Turkey, along with senior officials of Laghu Udyog Bharati, officers of RICO and CIDOS, and a large number of entrepreneurs, architects, and laborers were present.