Two industries, the Kalinga Iron Works and the Odisha Textiles Mills (OTM), established by the efforts of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik in the State, have been closed during the period of the Naveen Patnaik Government.
To a question of BJP MlA Dilip Ray, Industries Minister Debi Prasad Mishra on Thursday in formed the State Assembly that the Kalinga Iron Works established by the efforts on Biju Patnaik way back in 1948 has stopped production since February 2015. Ray had wanted to know whether the State Government has any plan to revive the Kalinga Iron Works in the wake of Bijubabu's birth centenary celebrations.
The company had come to the control of the Idcol on April 1, 1963. According to the Government decision, Idcol has initiated a process to pay 51 per cent of share to the Central PSU. After the CPSU takes this central share of the Idcol, a soft iron ore mine would be available, and then steps would be taken to modernise and revive the Kalinga Iron Works.
In a statement, Ray said it would be sheer negligence to Biju Babu if the State Government, which is spending crores of rupees for observance of Bijubabu's birth centenary, doesn't revive the two major industries set up by the legendary leader.