Bhubaneswar: February 18: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Prahlad Yoshi today jointly inaugurated the production in two new iron ore mines of Odisha -Jiling-Langlota Iron ore block and Guali Iron ore block, given to Odisha Mining Corporation.
Inaugurating the event, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that the production of these two mines would help stabilize the iron ore market and meet the supply demand of the industry.
The Chief Minister said that Odisha has taken many steps in the field of mining. In this regard, for maintaining transparency, 13 MS system has been introduced to monitor the transportation of iron ore. The auction process of many large mines has been successfully completed in the last few years.
Noting that Odisha has witnessed significant growth in the mining and metals industry over the past two decades, the Chief Minister said that Odisha has the potential to be an important center of the world in the field of steel, aluminum and other metals industries. Industry-friendly measures in the state have encouraged investment.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the state and the Center to work together to realize the huge potential of the state in the mining and metals industries.
Chief Minister Naveen thanked Union Minister Yoshi for allocating the two mines to the OMC and giving them various approvals within a short time.
The Chief Minister also thanked the OMC for taking urgent steps to make the two mines operational.
Inaugurating the event, Union Minister Prahlad Yoshi said that Odisha is rich in mineral resources. Therefore, if the Center and the state work together, the economy of both the state and the country will prosper.
He added that the state government will get Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 crores revenue annually from the two new mines and create employment opportunities. He believes that, it will help to minimise the shortage of Iron Ore.
He further added that the cooperation between the Center and the state in the field of infrastructure development will usher in a new era of prosperity.
The function was graced by Minister of State for Mines, Steel and Public Works Prafulla Mallick, Rajya Sabha MP Ashwini Vaishnav, Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra, Development Commissioner P.K. Jenna and Principal Secretary, Finance, Ashok Kumar Meena.
Chief Minister’s Secretary (5 T) V.K. Pandian coordinated the program. Mining Corporation Chairman Surendra Kumar gave the welcome address and Balwant Singh, Managing Director, Mining Corporation, has given vote of thanks.
