BHUBANESWAR:
Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) chairman
Naveen Jindal on Thursday said the steel industry is facing difficulties in iron ore supply as
iron ore price has gone up by about 100 per cent in past eight months.
Jindal, who met chief secretary
A P Padhi here at the state secretariat, urged the state government to initiate steps to operate the seven mines which were closed following non-payment of penalty according to the August 2 Supreme Court order.
"At present, the steel industry in Odisha is importing coal and limestone. If iron ore is to be imported then steel industry in Odisha will not survive," he added.
The JSPL boss said the company has invested more than Rs 33,000 crore for its plant at Angul. "If we won't get iron ore at affordable price, how will the company become competitive in international market?" he asked.
He said iron ore prices will come down with increase of its production. "If iron ore mines will become operational, lakhs of people will get employment, state government will also get royalty and fund in district mineral foundation," he said.
Asked about the state government's reaction to his proposal, Jindal said the chief secretary assured him to examine representation submitted by steel industry association and mining owners association and to take up issues with the Centre on operation of closed mines.
Jindal also demanded for increasing availability of railway rakes for transfer of raw material for industries. "We are not able to run the plant in full capacity because of unavailability or railway rakes. Steps should be taken to make improve railway rakes availability," he said.
He also demanded for increasing coal production by MCL to make coal available for power generation.
The JSPL chief also met steel and mines minister Prafulla Mallik.
