Evolve policy for setting up steel units: ASSOCHAM

New Delhi, Aug 11: The steel manufacturers of the country have urged the government to evolve a uniform policy for setting up manufacturing units in the ore rich states of the country.

In a representation to the Prime Minister office (PMO), ASSOCHAM President and JSW Managing Director Sajjan Jindal said different states having iron ore reserves have their own policies for land acquisitions with variety of plans to develop their locations which are contradictory in nature. As a result, the steel manufacturers have to pursue one direction in one particular state and different in other states which cause problems in execution of their projects and add to costs, he said. In order to avoid such cost escalation and inconvenience to the steel manufacturers, particularly in the tribal dominated states like Orissa, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh, the Centre in consultation with the concerned States should immediately put in place a policy to direct the prospective investors to execute their investment plans.

This will not be helpful in avoiding untoward law and order situation but would also help carry out industrial investments in a peaceful and friendly manner.

The Chamber has underlined the need for uniform policy in this direction so that free movement of natural resources within the country could be allowed. Also, it will facilitate industrial development of the states which are richly endowded with natural resources like iron ore. In the absence of such policy, the country might push itself to its bulkinasation, ASSOCHAM said.

UNI