Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday reviewed various activities of Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) at Lok Seva Bhawan today.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Majhi said that OMC is an important corporation of the state government. If the mining sector is managed more efficiently in addition to earning more revenue, mining-based industries will also benefit as Odisha is rich in mineral resources. Majhi emphasized surveying and estimating the mineral wealth in different parts of the state using modern technology. Along with this, the Chief Minister also urged for establishing more mining-based industries in the state.
He said that by strengthening the institutions under the Mining department for mining in the state and investing in skilled human resources with the latest equipment, the production of iron ore-like resources will increase. At the same time, the Chief Minister asked to look into the health problems of the people affected by pollution caused by mining.
He further said that mining areas are mostly inhabited by tribal people.
The Chief Minister also advised the companies engaged in the mining sector to work for their economic and social development.
The Chief Minister directed the Chairman and Managing Director of OMC to focus on the development of education and health, supply of safe drinking water, poverty alleviation, and a good transit system in the surrounding areas of the mines.
The Chief Minister said that the major part of CSR should be spent on the development and improvement of the living conditions of the residents of the mining areas.
It’s worth mentioning that OMC supplies raw materials to various industries in Odisha which do not have their own mines. Therefore, it is always necessary to increase its production capacity. OMC has been recognized as the fourth largest producer of iron ore in the country along with being the largest producer of chrome.
In this review meeting, Minister of Mines and Steel Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Nikunja Bihari Dhal, Additional Chief Secretary of Steel & Mines Department D.K. Singh, Principal Secretary of Finance Department Saswat Mishra and Chairman and Managing Director of OMC Balwant Singh were present.
