Jamnagar, Jan. 29 : The popular brass industry of Gujarat's Jamnagar city is presently facing a major challenge to sustain itself following a sharp erosion in the demand for its products in the world market.

A sudden drop in the prices of scrap metal and aggressive marketing from their Chinese counterparts has pushed many of the units manufacturing brass-based parts in Jamnagar region to the brink.

The brassware industry is an important part of the handicrafts and cottage Industry of the country and is known world over for its unmatched range of brass antiques and brass decoratives.

Illol (Gujarat), Jan 27 : The villagers in Gujarat who are normally engaged into agricultural activities or work as labourers, have turned entrepreneurs with their maiden supermarkets like Hearty Mart.

Illol, a small village in Himmat Nagar district of Gujarat, has set an example on improving rural economy in the state.

The initiative was taken by Nadeem Jafri, a Ahmedabad entrepreneur who started setting up franchises of ''Hearty Mart'' with an aim to satisfy the desires and demands of the rural population as provided in the urban areas.

RPG Enterprises owned CEAT tyres laid the foundation stone of a radial tyre plant worth Rs 700 crore at Halol, near Baroda in Gujarat. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding in this regard at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit (VGGIS) in Ahmedabad on January 13.

The chairman of RPG Enterprises Group, Harsha Goenka said that the first phase of plant would be operational by May 2010. The state of Gujarat is also celebrating its foundation day on the same day.

Vadodara (Gujarat), Jan

Refex Energy, the part of BSE-listed Refex refrigerants, has informed that the firm is setting up a 50 MW solar PV power plant in Gujarat.

Recently, the energy firm for the purpose has signed a MOU with energy and petrochemicals department in the State.

Refex Energy stated in an official communiqué that it intends to begin the first phase of the 50 MW in 2009 and complete the investment in stages.

Gandhinagar, Jan 21 : The Special Investigation Team (SIT), re-investigating into nine post- Godhra riot cases is expected to submit its report to Supreme Court by February 15.

The Supreme Court formed the five-member SIT to re-investigate the Godhra train burning case and some post-Godhra riot cases.

Several prominent leaders like, Maya Kodnani of BJP and Jaydeep Patel of Vishwa Hindu Parishad are at the center of investigation, following many witnesses naming them in their statements in the Naroda Gam riot case.