Centre wants Odisha iron ore output ramped up 20% to match green limits

Closure of seven working mines in state has triggered sharp price hikes by both, lessees and NMDC

The Union mines ministry has exhorted Odisha's iron ore mine leaseholders to expand production to match the approved limits under environmental clearance (EC).

The closure of seven working mines in Odisha  has triggered sharp price hikes by lessees as well as the country's top producer NMDC Ltd. The operational mines held by Serajuddin & Company, Mesco Steel, state-run Industrial Corporation of Odisha Ltd (Idcol) and others were closed on January 1 this year after they failed to pay out the Supreme Court-mandated compensation in a case of overproduction between 2000-01 and 2010-11. The deadline for paying penalties was December