Conclave favours value addition of minerals

Bhubaneswar, Dec 27 (UNI) A conclave of Chief Ministers of Orissa, Jharkhand and Chatisgarh today demanded that mineral rich states should be encouraged to follow the strategy of value addition and opposed certain recommendation of Hoda Committee, curtailing the power of the state.

A joint memorandum, signed by Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda and Chatisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said certain recommendation of the Hoda Committee, if accepted for implementation, would have adverse impact on the ongoing process of industrial development and the people in the states.

They said to maximise the employment opportunities to the local youth, enhance generation of tax and non-tax revenue and promotion of downstream and ancillary industries, the states should be encouraged to follow the strategy of value addition.

The Chief Ministers were of the view that the recommendation of the Hoda Committee, which were of concern to the states and have divergent views, should be further discussed for a consensus before formulating the proposal for decision of the Union government.

Stating that the views of the mineral owning states be accepted and reflected appropriately in the National Mineral Policy and the related Mining and Mineral Law, the three Chief Ministers urged Prime Minister to finalise the new National Mineral Policy and bring necessary changes in the laws on Mines and Minerals and Royalty issue.

MORE UNI DP SJC VD HT1907