The Odisha Economic Association held its 46th Annual Conference at the Remuli College which more than 120 delegates attended a two-day seminar on ‘Mining Economy in Odisha’.
Discussing on the current status of mining and its impact on the economy of the State and the nation, the speakers opined that the best use of mineral resources should be for the common people’s development.
The conference was chaired by Chairman, National Accounts & Statistics Committee K Sundaram while the guest speakers were Santosh Chandra Panda, Dean, South Asia University, Rabi Narayan Patra, Administrative Officer, Gopobandhu Academy, lalit Das, Kartik Chandra Mishra, Principal, Remuli College and Bidyadhar Mohanta, Reader in Economics.
Non-renewable mineral resources and mining business have played a key role in the economy, but the Government has failed to reap the benefits from the revenue generated due to lack of foresight, some speakers pointed out.
Now, it is time for the minerals-rich Odisha to properly utilise its mineral resources and mining for the best of its people, they said. The seminar also deliberated on the importance of Odisha in Indian economy. The delegates and speakers expressed serious concern that Odisha which is known to be among the richest States for mineral resources is also known for its growing poverty.