BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday called upon the Centre to bring further reforms in mineral sector to ensure uninterrupted ore supply to industries. Expressing concern over shortage of raw materials to metal-based industries during a discussion with Union Minister of Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi and Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Chief Minister said this is despite timely auction of working mines whose lease period expired by March this year.
“Shortage of ore and resultant high price has posed a challenge for the sponge iron plants, small and medium size steel plants. Such disruptions and uncertainties in production and dispatch are undesirable, especially during these times,” he said while discussing issues confronting the mineral sector. This has affected the State revenue and employment of the people dependent on the sector, he added.
