Reviewing the progress made so far, Chief Secretary Sri Padhi directed to scale up the activities and ramp up the production of OMC during the current financial year. Target was set to enhance production of iron ore and chrome to 8.64 Million Ton during 2016-17.
Replying to a media query after the meeting, MD Sri Krishna said we have put in place the action plan for enhancing production of OMC. By end of July current year around 2.41 million ton of iron ore and chrome have been produced against the target of 8.64 million ton. Sri Krishna expressed the hope that we would reach our target within the schedule time.
Available data show, in iron ore target has been set to produce 3 MT from Daitari mines, 2.4 MT from Kurmitar Mines and 2 MT from Gandhamardan-B mines during 2016-17. Similarly in Chrome, target has been to produce 1.1 MT from South Kaliapani mines, 0.13 MT from Sukrungi mines and 15,000 MT from Bangur mines during the same year.
The issues relating to enhancing the production of Daitari mines from 3 MT per annum to 6 MT per annum, Kurmitar mines from 2.4 MT to 6 MT per annum and Unchabali mines from 0.07 MT to 1.0 MT per annum were discussed in the meeting. Review showed that applications for environmental clearance for enhancing annual production from these mines have been sent to Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt of India. Chief Secretary directed to follow up the issue at the Govt of India level and expedite the clearances.
The meeting also deliberated on enhancing production during 2017-18 from different mines of OMC. For the purpose, the matters relating to forest clearance, conduct of Gram sabha, DGPS survey, sales policy of OMC, extension of railway line for evacuation of coal in Talcher coal field etc were discussed and action points were decided.
Principal Secretary Steel & Mines Sri Raj Kumar Sharma, along with senior officers from Forest & Environment Department, OMC, Industry participated in discussions.