Orissa govt protest National Mineral policy

Bhubaneswar, Mar 29 (UNI) The ruling BJD and BJP members today sat on a dharna inside the Orissa Assembly premises demanding withdrawal of the National Mineral policy (NMP), 2008.

Soon after Deputy Speaker Prahallad Dora adjourned the House till 1700 hrs following pandemonium over the legality of the sitting of the House, the ruling members assembled for a dharna near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi inside the complex.

Carrying placards, the members shouted slogans against the UPA government at the Centre, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi for ignoring the state's suggestion while formulating the mineral policy.

The members said the policy was anti-Orissa and highly influenced by the international mining lobby to please the MNCs at the cost of the state.

Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik criticised the NMP saying the policy was highly influenced by the international mining lobby which has earned huge profit due to a favourable market conditions.

Mr Patnaik feared that the policy, if implemented, might allow the multinational mining companies to take control over the vast mineral resources of the country, which were required for the domestic manufacturing industry in the global market.

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