The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) has sought intervention of Prime Minister office to direct the Ministry of Mines to evolve a uniform policy under which steel makers put up steel plants in all iron ore rich states such as Orissa, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand.
In a representation to the Prime Minister Office, DS Rawat, Assocham Secretary General said that different states having iron ore reserves have their 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, further pointed out
Rawat.
Citing an example based on feedback received from Assocham members from steel sector, the Assocham said that many of industrialists that wanted to put up huge capacity steel plant in state of Orissa have difficulties in acquiring land.
After land acquisition, one of its members faced resistance from local populace during Bhoomi Puja and had to virtually abandon the site to escape mob attack which delayed its projects and sent out wrong signals, said Rawat.
These kind of happenings take place in the absence of suitable and uniform mining policy under stipulations of which, the manufacturers can go ahead with their project planning. In order to avoid recurrence of such incidents particularly in tribal dominated states like those of Orissa, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh, the central government in consultation with state concern should immediately put in place a policy to direct the prospective investors to execute their investment plans so that no
untoward law and order situation arise and industrial investments are carried out in a peaceful and friendly manner.
The minerals source, according to Assocham is a national wealth and should be used in countries interest in an equitable manner in which local dominance should not come on way for narrow economic gains and ulterior political objectives.
The Chamber has therefore underlined the need for uniform policy that can allow free movement of natural resources within the country in the absence of which the Assocham is of the view that the country might push itself to its bulkinasation.
In view of Assocham, the uniform policy for steel manufacturers to put up their respective steel plants would create industrial climate for double digit growth as steel makes for a sector which constitute a substantial element for infrastructure sector. The Assocham Secretary General expressed hope that the Prime Minister office will take proper note of what has been represented to it in interests of steel makers in particular and country as a whole. This will facilitate industrial development of such states as are richly endowded with natural resources like iron ore to suit the national as well as local requirements.
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