Steel and sponge iron manufacturers of Odisha said they had been assured adequate iron ore supply from the state government to tide over the ongoing iron ore crisis.
The Orissa Sponge Iron Manufacturers’ Association (OSIMA) and the Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) had recently sought ore under the pre-emption scheme, a provision reserving at least 50% of all iron ore produced in the state for state-based industries. This scheme though is not being implemented.
The manufacturers met with senior state government officers on 30 September to discuss their raw material shortage. Official sources said the state’s Secretary, Industries, Hemant Sharma assured the sponge iron manufacturers that necessary steps would be taken to protect their interests and assure iron ore supply to them.
As many as 18 applications seeking allotment of iron ore under the pre-emption scheme have been made in the past three months and are pending before the Odisha government.
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