Odisha proposes to sign MoU with RINL for steel plant

Odisha government today proposed to sign an MoU with the Rastriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) to set up a mega steel facility in the mineral rich Keonjhar district, officials said.
A decision in this regard was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Finance Minister Pradip Kumar Amat and attended by Rural Development Minister Badrinarayan Patra, Chief Secretary G C Pati and members of an organisation of Keonjhar.
The Milita Kriyanustan Committee, Keonjhar, had earlier demanded a mega steel plant, a medical college, rail line and other facilities saying though the district has been contributing a lot to the state exchequer through mining activities, the area remains neglected.

Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik and others have also demanded the proposed mega steel plant in Keonjhar district after the Centre announced to set up a mega steel plant in the state.
On the demand of a medical college in Keonjhar, the meeting resolved that it would like it to be set up by Odisha Mining Corporation and other corporates operating in the district. A decision in this regard would be taken within three months, officials said.
Besides resolving to take steps to upgrade Dharanidhar Autonomus College to a unitary university within 2015-16 academic year, the meeting decided to open an off campus of North Odisha University in Keonjhar.

The meeting also decided to verify the demand of opening an agriculture college in Keonjhar, the said.