Bhubaneswar: JSPL chairman Naveen Jindal on Friday sought urgent intervention of the Odisha government over operational problems faced by its two plants due to shortage of coal and higher iron-ore prices.
Jindal after meeting Odisha Chief Secretary, Aditya Prasad Padhi, informed that prices of iron ore are rising while the prices of steel are going down. The prices of iron ore as well as coal are increasing in Odisha despite a sharp drop in the rates in international market, Jindal said.
“JSPL has invested Rs 35,000 crore in Odisha. We are operating India’s largest pellet plant having 9 MT capacity at Barbil and are the highest pellet exporter. Our plant in Angul with 6 MT capacity is the biggest plant in Odisha. Today, I met the Chief Secretary to discuss about the problems we are facing here,” said Jindal.
Jindal further informed that apart from three major steel industry players-- JSW, Tata Steel and JSPL, other steel companies have been referred to National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), which is unfortunate.
According to JSPL chairman, there is an acute shortage of coal in Odisha through e-auction. Hence, MCL and Coal India need to increase their coal production. Moreover, iron ore availability should be increased.
“As transporters in Keonjhar are also increasing their freight rates, the State Government should implement its notification for the transporters,” Jindal added.
Odisha Congress working president, Naba Kishore Das on the other hand stated that till the time displaced people are thoroughly rehabilitated, coal production will be affected. Both the State government as well as the Centre have a major role to play in protecting industrialization.
Ruling-BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra stated that Odisha has registered a sharp increase in industrialization in the country in the last 18 years.
“Odisha has 25 percent installed iron ore and steel production capacity in the country and we are the leading State in stainless steel and aluminium production,” said Patra.
Patra further stated that Odisha is committed for industrialization. Whenever there have been instances of any problems faced by industries, government has always extended its helping hand.