The State Government has successfully auctioned 24 leases, which have a total reserve of 4.87 lakh crore tonnes of minerals and would be helpful to increase the State's revenue.
Steel and Mines Secretary RK Sharma said this at a national e-conference titled "Post Covid-19 Scenario in Mining Sector: Adapting to the New Normal and Moving Forward" held on Friday jointly be the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), State unit and the Steel and Mines Department.
“Despite supply chain disruption, labour unavailability and low demand due to Covid pandemic, the State Government has succeeded to auction 24 leases and completed mining lease execution in 18 leases by which some of the units have started operations,” said Sharma.
Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Kumar Mallick asked industries to take care of workers against the Covid pandemic.
ICC, State Council chairman MC Thomas welcoming guests appreciated proactive measures taken by the State Government during Covid pandemic.
Convenor Manish Kharbanda said lockdown disrupted collection of mining revenue in April and May. Due to a 66-per cent drop, GST collection was also disrupted, he said. He suggested some special incentives for Odisha plants. He said remodeling of national mineral index and provision of dedicated corridors at certain industrial zones should be made to facilitate effective logistics.
Mines Director Debidutta Biswal, OMC CGM DK Mohanty, KPGM Advisory Services director Bidyut Chakraborty, Vedanta COO Amit Jain, AMNS India’s mining operations head Sabyasachi Mohanty, IDL Explosives Ltd COO AD Sao and SNP Group MD Prabodh Mohanty were present.
Nearly 120 delegates joined the e-conference.