October 12, 2008

CPI (M) urges centre to finalize NMP for securing iron ore

CPI (M) has asked the government to finalize a National Mineral Policy in order to ensure balanced development of the sector, restrict export of scarce resources and empower the centre to regulate supply of minerals including iron ore by one state to another.

Mr Basudeb Acharia senior CPI (M) leader said that "The manner in which iron ore, is being exported, plundered and looted, a day will come when our national stock will be exhausted. As it is, the present stock will last us only 20 more years."

He said that unlike in the coal sector, the centre had no control over the supply of iron ore within India. Mr Acharia said that as a result, states like Jharkhand are refusing to give the ore to West Bengal for the modernization of the IISCO plant.

He added that "In order that such situations do not arise in future, a comprehensive policy is of utmost importance. We want balanced development of the sector."