The Pioneer reported that faced with acute scarcity and sharp price hike of iron ore, steel industry bodies have urged the Odisha Government to restore the right of preemption under the Minerals Concession Rules 2016 to save the steel sector in the State. The Orissa Sponge Iron Manufacturers Association in a letter to the Government has highlighted the iron ore shortage and unprecedented rise of iron ore, which have severely affected the State-based steel units. OSIMA chairman Mr Yogesh Dalmia wrote “This has become impossible to source because of huge-scale inter-State export of iron ore outside the State, making it very challenging for Odisha-based end-use plants to secure ore availability at reasonable prices.” He wrote “There is an urgent need to reinstate preemption rights of iron ore for State-based end-use plants and curtail the rampant diversion and export of precious iron ore outside Odisha, ensuring sustainable supply of usable ore for end use plants based in the State safeguarding livelihood of lakhs of Odia people. Restoration of preemption rights can not only save operating steel industries but also can help in improving the revenue for the State Government and employment opportunities for people of Odisha. This would also help in increasing investors’ confidence in State.”
The Pioneer reported that faced with acute scarcity and sharp price hike of iron ore, steel industry bodies have urged the Odisha Government to restore the right of preemption under the Minerals Concession Rules 2016 to save the steel sector in the State. The Orissa Sponge Iron Manufacturers Association in a letter to the Government has highlighted the iron ore shortage and unprecedented rise of iron ore, which have severely affected the State-based steel units. OSIMA chairman Mr Yogesh Dalmia wrote “This has become impossible to source because of huge-scale inter-State export of iron ore outside the State, making it very challenging for Odisha-based end-use plants to secure ore availability at reasonable prices.” He wrote “There is an urgent need to reinstate preemption rights of iron ore for State-based end-use plants and curtail the rampant diversion and export of precious iron ore outside Odisha, ensuring sustainable supply of usable ore for end use plants based in the State safeguarding livelihood of lakhs of Odia people. Restoration of preemption rights can not only save operating steel industries but also can help in improving the revenue for the State Government and employment opportunities for people of Odisha. This would also help in increasing investors’ confidence in State.”