Odisha to introduce e-tendering of mineral transport

Ahead of resuming operation in above two dozen of mines, Odisha government today decided to introduce e-tendering process for smooth and transparent transportation of minerals from the pit heads to end-users.
"The state-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) will soon chalk out modality for the e-tendering of the mineral transportation," Director of Mines Deepak Mohanty said after attending a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary G C Pati.
Besides district collectors amd SPs of mineral bearing districts, the representatives from transport agencies, truck owners association, mines lesseeses and industries also attended the meeting
The meeting was held in view of allegations made by different industries that the truck owners and agencies would make abnormal charges on transportation of minerals without having any valid reasons.

The meeting resolved that through e-tendering of transportation process, the government would fix specific price for transportation of minerals through lorries.
The meeting also decided that the trucks owned by industries would be temporarily allowed to transport minerals besides the vehicles already registered under the steel and mines department.
For the trucks temporarily engaged for transportation of ores, mostly from other states, will also be allowed to shift minerals with proper approval of the end user industries, Mohanty said adding that the OMC would prepare the modalities for introduction of e-tendering process within two months.