Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Monday said that the State Government is committed to transform Odisha into a global industrial hub.
The State Govt investing heavily in the steel and mining sectors, dedicated to meeting the state’s development and economic needs, through responsible mineral resource utilization, improving quality education, better healthcare and widespread public welfare programs, he said addressing the 3rd National Mines Ministers’ Conference here.
He said three states —Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand– produce and supply more than two-thirds of all base metals demand of the country and are in the eastern part of the country, which has been rightly described as Purvadoya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“In order to fulfill the dream of becoming a developed nation, by the year 2047, as envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, these three states will fuel the growth and Odisha will play a major part in this,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that this platform will provide a deep insight, through in-depth discussions, on how to achieve it and most importantly, how to make it sustainable.
“Let’s not forget that natural resources, especially minerals are finite, it cannot last forever,” he said.
So we have to find a way to make it sustainable for a long time without harming the environment. For that, we have to finda way of consumption-led mining activities, from the present export-led mining economy, he added.
Majhi said Odisha is enriched to have almost every type of materials including coal. But unfortunately, till now, the true potential of Odisha, has not been found because of many other reasons including political will.
“All these things are going to change, change for the betterment of the people of the state,” the Chief Minister asserted.
From just one major steel plant at Rourkela, now Odisha boasts of more than three dozen major steel plants and is rightly called the Steel Capital of India, accounting for over 25 percent of India’s total steel output.
With a projected growth in annual steel production, the state’s steel output is expected to increase substantially by 2030.
To further accelerate the industry’s expansion, numerous investment-driven initiatives, and schemes, are being implemented by our Govt.
“After our government, came to power seven months back one of the first things, that was done, was to make a friendly industrial policy which includes, simpler permissions, minimizing procedural work fast-tracking approvals through single-window approval system,” the Chief Minister said and added that the result are for everyone to see.
“We have received so many proposals including eight (8) MoUs signed with different industrial houses. Of late, there has been a debate on industrialization vs environment protection,” he said.
Not only Keonjhar but every corner of Odisha is rich in valuable mineral resources, he said adding, “Odisha truly is Ratnagarbha,-a treasure trove of natural wealth.”
“I just learned that there is a possibility of the much needed and very scarce Lithium, in one of the districts of Odisha. This is definitely good news for the E-battery industry,” he added.
Majhi said that the “Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025”, is just around the corner which aims to propel the State’s industrial growth, creating opportunities for innovation, investment and collaboration.
“Standing on this prestigious platform, I extend an invitation to you all to be a part of Odisha’s journey towards development to share in our vision and to contribute to our growth. Odisha is becoming an ideal destination for investment. Our several departments are on high alert to ensure the swift completion of approved projects,” he said.
