14 steel plants commence production in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Nov 14: As many as 14 of the total 41 companies, which had signed MoUs with the Orissa government, have so far invested 25 per cent of their total investment proposals, Steel and Mines Minister Padmanav Behera said.

To the question of Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati in the state Assembly, Mr Behera said on becoming fully operational, these 14 companies would produce 7.2 million tonnes of steel.

Similarly, two companies, which had signed the MoU with the government, would jointly produce two million tonnes of alumina and 0.48 million tonnes of aluminium per annum, Mr Behera said.

Out of the 14 companies started production, the Adhunik Metaliks had received the sanction of the mining lease from the Centre, while the government has recommended mining lease in favour of Sree Metaliks Limited, SMC Power Generation and Deepak Steel and Power Limited, he informed.

The proposal of other companies for mining lease was under the consideration of the state government.

To another question of Congress member Ranjib Biswal, the Minister said in 2005 the state government had signed MoUs with 18 steel companies and only two during 2007.

These 20 steel plants, when fully commissioned, would require 99.07 million tonne of iron ore and 74.29 million tonne of coal.

UNI