ODISHA – Ministerial Panel Report on Ore Supply by April 30

Bhubaneswar, India: The Ministerial Committee on raw material supply to state based industries will submit it's report to the Odisha Government by 30^th of this month. This was announced by the State finance minister, Prasnna Acharya, who is heading the Committee at a meeting on last Saturday.

“We have a detailed discussion over the Policy on long term ore linkage to state-based industries. We hope, the report will be presented to the State Government by April 30”, said Mr. Acharya.

With a view to find a long term solution to the raw material crisis of the mineral based industries the Odisha government in last October had constituted an inter-ministerial committee headed by Mr. Acharya and minister for industries Mr Niranjan Pujari, Steel and mines minister Mr. Rajnikant Singh as members. The aim of the panel is to formulate a policy to provide raw materials to the user industries on long term basis. Initially the committee was to submit its report by the end of January this year. However, the tenure of the committee was extended till April on the request of the finance Minister in owing to the Budget session of the Odisha legislative Assembly.

In its report, the committee is to suggest measures for making Iron ore, Manganese ore, Bauxite and Chrome ore available to the mineral based industries in the state in a fair and equitable manner through the OMC and other mining lease holders. Also the committee will suggest modalities for making the ore available to the industries on a sustainable basis through long term ore linkage arrangements. It’ll also suggest a framework for making the ore available to local industries through a transparent process (through e-auction and other suitable modes). The committee has already held several rounds of deliberations with various stake holders like the miners body (EZMA), All Odisha Steel Federation (AOSF), Ferro Alloys Association of India etc., and with companies.

“There are different opinions from the miners and industries over fixation of price on ores. However, we will ensure that nobody would suffer in the matter as it will hamper the economy and growth of the State”, Mr. Acharya said.

According to sources, the submission of the report will also decide a clear date for commencement of the e-auction of minerals.

-Tapan Moharana