OMC perspective plan aims for top mining PSU status

Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC), the state owned mining company, has charted out an ambitious plan to be among the top public sector mining companies of the country. It has prepared a ‘perspective plan’ focussing on the basic reforms, increased production and productivity, expansion of the exploration activities, manpower restructuring and improved financial management among others. The reports prepared by small special committees, formed to streamline various aspects of the operations of OMC, are being examined by the top management.

“We intend to make OMC a national player in the next 3-4 years and a perspective plan has been drawn up to achieve various parameters for turning this state-owned PSU into a national mining company”, Ashok Dalwai, secretary, steel and mines department of Orissa government and the chairman, OMC, told Business Standard. As part of its perspective plan, OMC is targeting to enhance its mineral production from about 7.5 million tonne last fiscal to 24 million tonne by 2013-14, which has necessitated opening up of new mines and enhancing production in the existing mines.

Among the committees constituted by the chairman, one was vested with the responsibility of evolving procedures to expedite the environment and forest clearances so that all the mines under the control of OMC can be made functional. It has submitted its report to the corporation which is being examined by the management. The move assumes importance as all the mining leases granted to the state owned company are not in working condition due to delay in getting forest and environment clearances.

The other committees relating to adoption of safety measures as per the statute, developing a comprehensive policy for peripheral development and corporate social responsibility (CSR), security of mines under OMC including the explosive magzines, protocol for the maintenance plant and machinery, financial control and financial management have also submitted their reports. OMC plans to bring out a compendium to train its employees in the ways recommended in these reports.

Meanwhile, the National Productivity Council (NPC) has submitted its interim report on the manpower restructuring of OMC and the required feedback has been given for preparation of the final report.