No raw material shortage for industries in Odisha: Govt

Odisha government today claimed there was no shortage of raw materials for industries in the state even as the Opposition Congress and BJP today walked out of the House in protest.
"Major mineral-based industries are not facing any raw material shortage in the state," Odisha's steel and mines minister Prafulla Kumar Mallick said while replying to an adjournment debate in the House.
While 11.68 MT of steel was produced (other than captive use) and 77.84 MT of iron ore was produced in Odisha during 2013-14.
The state industries required only 18.688 MT of iron ore for the production of 11.68 MT of steel, Mallick said, adding that this indicated that there was no shortage of ore.

In order to further smoothen the supply of ore, the government has made it mandatory for the mines not having captive use and sell 50 per cent of their ore production to the local industries, the minister said.
"The government through a resolution on September 18, 2012 have reserved the free areas for undertaking prospecting or mining operation through Odisha Mining Corporation to enable the state PSU to cater to the raw material requirement of the industries, not provided with captive mines," he said.
This apart, Mallick said the OMC have been asked to chalk out a plan for long-term supply of iron ore and chrome ore to the state-based industries.

Opposition Congress and BJP members, however, rejected the state government's claim and argued that many local industries are shut due to lack of adequate raw materials. This has led to large scale unemployment in the state, both the parties said, before walking out of the House.