Will ensure raw material to industries: Joshi

Bhubaneswar: Union Coal and Mines minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said the steel industries would not face any shortage of raw material after March 31, 2020.

He said they will ensure that raw material is supplied through PSUs and other sources.

The Minister said Centre is taking measures to ensure that there would be no scarcity of minerals in the country even after lease period of major mines would lapse

Notably, the mining lease of over 300 mines across the country including 24 from Odisha will lapse on March 31, 2020.

The minister on Friday met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here.

The state government demanded revision of coal royalty.

The Chief Minister reiterated the demands that the rates of royalty should be increased and the state should get share from the cess collected on coal by the Central Government.

Joshi said they discussed several issues including law and order problem at MCL mines and increasing production of MCL.