The Federation of Indian Granite & Stone Industry (FIGSI) has been working since 1983 for the progress and scientific development of the industry. The association endeavors to act as a bridge between the industry, the government & all stakeholders, and bring constant improvement in mineral regulation, policies, processes, systems & procedures.
The chief objective of the federation is promotion of the Natural Stone Industries, which comes under the category of Ornamental or Decorative building stones (like Granites, Marbles, Sandstones, Slates, Quartzite) and ancillary & auxiliary Industries of Machinery, Tools, Abrasives, Consumables related to stone Industries. We organise conferences & workshops on each and every aspect of Stone Industry.
In recognition of the work done by the Federation for the systemic improvement of the Indian stone industry, FIGSI has been invited to be part of various committees formed by Government of India for the betterment of the industry. The following are the major committees FIGSI has been part of:
- Granite Development Council (GDC): This important committee was formed to look into the various aspects of the stone industry, with members comprising the State Governments of Karnataka Tamil Nadu Kerala, Orissa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, GSI, IBM, FIMI, FIGSI and selected big industry representatives. In cognizance of the efforts of the FIGSI, the GDC formulated the Granite Conservation and Development Rules (GCDR- 1999). GCDR – 1999 has been a boon to the mining industry by giving provision for long term lease and many State Governments have started implementing the same.
- Group of Marble Development: This committee was formed by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India; it drafted the rules for the Marble Mining Industry in line with the Granite Industry. This committee has representations from Rajasthan, Gujarat, GSI, IBM, FIMI and FIGSI. The Marble Conservation and Development 2002 was formulated in the year 2002.
- Sustainable Mining Initiative (SMI): FIGSI is a member of the Executive Committee of SMI formed by the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI).
FIGSI has submitted memoranda on various issues and problems faced by the industry with respective state governments and the central government.
FIGSI is an ISO 9001:2008 certified organization. The ISIO 9001:2008 certification signifies that FIGSI’s management systems and process related to service provision to its members and industry are in conformity with the requirements of this international standard, and it reflects transparency and standardized process of functioning of FIGSI.
FIGSI is a member of the Marble Institute of America, USA and the Geology Society of India, Bangalore.
FIGSI is committed to maintaining its certification and strives to bring improvement in its systems and process.
Become a FIGSI Association member#
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- Read the Bye-laws of the Federation.
History#
The history of the association can be traced back to the year 1983; the problems of quarrying, processing and exports needed to be addressed in a systemic manner. The founder members unanimously resolved to form an Association by the name of “All India Granites & Stone Association” and was registered with the Registrar of Societies in Karnataka, Bangalore under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960.
The General Secretary Mr S Subba Rao was authorized to communicate with the Registrar of Societies on all matters pertaining to the association. Seven members were authorized to be the signatories to the Memorandum and Rules and Regulations of the Association.
It was resolved that there will be three categories of Memberships in the Association with the following levels of subscription.
- Ordinary Member
- Life Member
- Patron Member
The association initially started with the enrollment of ordinary members and after six months of functioning, Association opened the enrollment for Life Membership. Decision was taken to affiliate the association with the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Bangalore, All India Federation of Chambers of Commerce and other such associations in India and abroad as deemed necessary by the Association. The first discussion of the association centered around the problems faced by the Granite/Stone trade in getting lease renewals, obtaining fresh leases, movement of granite blocks from quarries, and the various troubles with the Rayat Sangh in Karnataka and in Kanakpura in particular.
By 1986-87, FIGSI had 178 members comprising Life Members and ordinary members. As the momentum picked up with growing membership, several issues pertaining to the Granite & Stone Trade were taken up at frequent intervals and representations were given to the Central government from the mining industry to get benefits of 100% Export Oriented Units (EOU). The Government considered such representations carefully and decided to extend the benefits of 100% EOU to the mining projects and integrated projects involving mining.
The first issue of the bimonthly House Journal was released in November 1987.
FIGSI organised the 1st International Granite and Stone’s Fair in Bangalore in 1987 under the banner called Stona 87. The second Stona Exhibition was held in 1992. Subsequent Stona events were held in 1996, 1999 & 2002. Following suggestion made by the Ministry of Mines, Stona was made a biennial event and now Stona is held every even year. As per recommendation by the GoI Mines department, one International Fair shall be held in Jaipur and one in Bangalore so that an international stone fair will be an annual event in India.
In 2013, since some of the Granite Associations have become members of our All India Granite & Stone Industry, some of our visionaries felt the need for changing the name of the association from All India Granite & Stone Industry to Federation of Indian Granite & Stone Industry. All India Granite & Stone Industry became Federation of Indian Granite & Stone Industry (FIGSI) w.e.f 1. 04. 2014. FIGSI has been recognized by both the state governments and the central government.
