Bhubaneswar: In a significant push towards enhancing the state’s mineral output and supporting rapid industrialization, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting with mining leaseholders and prominent industrialists at Lok Seva Bhawan.
The meeting focused on strategies to ramp up iron ore production in line with the growing demand from the country’s steel sector and the state’s expanding industrial base. Chief Minister Majhi emphasized the need for higher production while adhering to the minimum mandatory limits under the Mineral (Auction) and Development of Mineral Production and Dispatch Agreement (MDPA), with special stress on both production and timely despatch.
CM Majhi assured industry representatives that the state government would extend all possible cooperation and necessary facilities to increase iron ore output. He also urged industrialists to set up more industries in the state’s mineral-rich districts, where the number of industrial units remains relatively low, to ensure balanced regional development.
Highlighting people-centric development, the Chief Minister called upon mining leaseholders and industrialists to pay special attention to the basic needs and welfare of local communities in mining areas.
A key initiative announced during the meeting is the preparation of a comprehensive database on land acquired in various districts for compulsory afforestation related to industrial and mining activities. This database will help stakeholders easily access information on available land in each district, streamlining processes for sustainable development.
To accelerate the mining sector, the state government has prepared an annual auction calendar for 2026-27. Mining blocks will be auctioned as per this schedule, aiming to bring more resources into production efficiently. Odisha, already a leader in iron ore and steel, continues to play a pivotal role in India’s goal of scaling national steel production significantly in the coming decades.
Indian Steel Association President and MP Shri Naveen Jindal thanked Chief Minister Majhi for his sincerity and strong commitment to industrial development in Odisha. He appreciated the proactive steps being taken to support the steel industry. The meeting was attended by senior government officials including Chief Secretary Anu Garg
Development Commissioner Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Shashwat Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma of Industries Department.
