Delegates of the Indian Steel Association (ISA) on Thursday met Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati at the State Secretariat here to discuss with him about current challenges experienced by the steel industries in Odisha.
The delegation including Tata Steel MD TV Narendran, Jindal Steel and Power ltd chairman Naveen Jindal, ISA secretary general Sanak Mishra, Mesco Steel advisor Priyabrat Patnaik, CEO of the Essar Steel Odisha Projects RK Mittal, Resident Director of Jindal Stainless Rajdeep Mohanty and Bhusan Power and Steel ltd head (Corporate Affairs) PK Mishra solicited the support of the Government to resolve the challenges through appropriate administrative and legislative measures.
The ISA members urged the State to help them in getting iron ore and chrome in relatively affordable prices, to enhance iron ore production by the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and merchant miners and to allocate the raw materials to steel industries on priority basis. They also informed the Chief Secretary about other bottlenecks in transportation issues, water charges, power supply and other sectors. “The member steel companies have invested more than Rs 1,25,000 crore in the State generating about one lakh employment and have consistent contribution to the growth of the State. The issues discussed with the Chief Secretary have seized his attention and we are hopeful of sustainable solutions,” said Naveen Jindal.
During auction of non-coal blocks, the Chief Secretary said the State Government has been considering giving preference to State-based steel industries which have already made substantial investment and generated employment in the State.