Odisha steel industries raise their issues before NITI Ayoga

BHUBANESWAR: NITI Ayoga member V K Saraswat on Thursday discussed with the steel industry and mines bodies in Odisha to address their impediments and make policy changes that would ensure in achieving 300 million tonne steel production in 2025 in the country.

“We discussed how to enable India producing about 300 mt of steel in 2025. We discussed what changes we should make in plan and policies so that in a cost effective manner we are able to reach that goal,” said Saraswat.

He said several issues including mining, coal, transport, capital cost and duties structure were discussed with the industries and state government officials.

“There are several matters that are responsible for present production rate. All of them have to be looked at in a cohesive manner to make sure that we are in a position to sail through when the entire world is going through a slump as per the steel market,” said Saraswat.

The NITI Ayoga member said the steel industries and mining bodies expressed their problems in the meeting that include transportation and non-availability of raw materials.

All Odisha Steel Federation (AOSF) president PL Kandoi said they raised issues relating to pricing and availability of minerals in Odisha.

Several representatives of steel industries and mining bodies including managing director of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) Ravi Uppal attended the meeting while Odisha steel and mines secretary RK Sharma and mines director were present.