New Delhi: Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to make iron ore available to steel industries in Bastar at 30% concession through National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC).
This will help the steel industries in Bastar to operate on a larger scale and will also create employment opportunities for local youth, which will accelerate the development and economic growth of Bastar, the letter stated.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that the State Government has already sent a proposal in the context to Government of India’s undertaking NMDC.
"Bastar region of Chhattisgarh is one of the most special places in the country. Bastar region is way more abundant in mineral and forest resources than various other parts of the country. Due to the dense forest region and the strict provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, economic activities in Bastar are limited. The problem of unemployment in the region has led to a rise in Naxal activities, complicating the situation further.
With the launch of DMF scheme in the year 2015, efforts are being made to improve the condition of mining-affected families. State Government has initiated various innovative practices in last one and a half year to improve the living standard of people in Bastar. But the development of Bastar is not possible without generating employment opportunities on a large scale," it stated.
"NMDC has been mining large quantity of iron ore in Dantewada district for more than half a century now. Hence, despite the abundance of iron ore, steel industries could not become a profitable venture for private entrepreneurs because of the adverse circumstances. If NMDC provides iron ore to steel industries of Bastar at 30% concession, the establishment of major-minor steel production units in Bastar region will become more feasible and profitable and lakhs of new employment opportunities will be generated for local youth," Bhagel stated in the letter.
Baghel requested Modi to give instructions to NMDC via ministry concerned to supply iron ore to Bastar at concessional rates, in the larger interest of people of Bastar region.
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