Mineral rich states seek say in Mineral Policy
Mineral rich states would seek Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention in ensuring that their views on the Mineral Policy are factored in before the policy is tabled in Parliament.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Mineral rich states would seek Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention in ensuring that their views on the Mineral Policy are factored in before the policy is tabled in Parliament.
At a meeting with Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who is heading the Group of Ministers on Mineral Policy, Chief Ministers of Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Rajasthan demanded that their views on the proposed policy, which they have already aired, be included so that their interests are not jeopardised.
"We will write to the Prime Minister seeking his intervention on ensuring that our views are factored in the Mineral Policy," Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik along with his counterparts from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand told reporters after a 90-minute meeting with Patil.
Echoing similar concerns, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said the mineral rich states should not be deprived of their right to value addition within their respective boundaries, nor their right to allocate mines on a priority basis to value adders be taken away.
He also demanded that exports of iron ore be phased out in the next few years to maintain the tempo of the increasing steel production in the country.
However, Mines Minister Sis Ram Ola has categorically ruled out any ban on exports.
"There is no ban on iron ore exports. However, we are open to a review the situation after five years," Ola told media.
Mines Secretary J P Singh said: "We heard the states and will address their concerns wherever possible."
Ola said the Centre "will consider their (states) suggestion and then move a proposal to the Cabinet and then bring a bill in the Parliament."
At a meeting with Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who is heading the Group of Ministers on Mineral Policy, Chief Ministers of Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Rajasthan demanded that their views on the proposed policy, which they have already aired, be included so that their interests are not jeopardised.
"We will write to the Prime Minister seeking his intervention on ensuring that our views are factored in the Mineral Policy," Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik along with his counterparts from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand told reporters after a 90-minute meeting with Patil.
Echoing similar concerns, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said the mineral rich states should not be deprived of their right to value addition within their respective boundaries, nor their right to allocate mines on a priority basis to value adders be taken away.
He also demanded that exports of iron ore be phased out in the next few years to maintain the tempo of the increasing steel production in the country.
However, Mines Minister Sis Ram Ola has categorically ruled out any ban on exports.
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"There is no ban on iron ore exports. However, we are open to a review the situation after five years," Ola told media.
Mines Secretary J P Singh said: "We heard the states and will address their concerns wherever possible."
Ola said the Centre "will consider their (states) suggestion and then move a proposal to the Cabinet and then bring a bill in the Parliament."
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