Bhubaneswar, May 15: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday reiterated the state government's commitment to supporting the development of steel industries by ensuring the availability of raw materials and necessary infrastructure.
Speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the Indian Steel Association, led by industrialist Naveen Jindal, Majhi assured that the state would provide all necessary assistance within the framework of existing regulations, following proper consultations with stakeholders.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of scaling up steel production in Odisha and strengthening related infrastructure. Discussions during the meeting focused on increasing India’s steel production capacity from the current 165 million tonnes per annum to 500 million tonnes by the year 2047.
Highlighting Odisha's strategic role in achieving this ambitious target, Majhi underscored the need to facilitate access to iron ore and other essential resources at competitive prices. He also addressed the issue of accelerating the operationalization of already auctioned mines and the upcoming auction of additional iron ore blocks—official sources revealed that approximately 30 mines are set to be auctioned this year.
The possibility of providing iron ore to steel producers at favorable rates through the state-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) was also explored.
Following the meeting, Naveen Jindal remarked, “A delegation from the Indian Steel Association met with the Chief Minister and senior officials today. We highlighted that India is now the second-largest steel producer globally, and Odisha has played a significant role in this achievement. The state has vast potential to further elevate its contribution to national steel output.”
Key officials present at the meeting included Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Additional Chief Secretary of the Steel and Mines Department Surendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department Hemant Sharma, and secretaries from other relevant departments.
