Bhubaneswar: Former Chief Secretary of Odisha Asit Tripathy has been elected as the first president of the newly-formed Odisha Steel Producers’ Association (OSPA), representing leading steel companies in the state.
Tripathy, who currently serves as advisor at Jindal Steel, has decades of experience in governance, public policy, industrial development, and stakeholder engagement to the role. His appointment is viewed as a strategic move to bolster collaboration between the steel industry and the government while reinforcing Odisha’s status as a premier steel manufacturing hub in India.
“Odisha is at the forefront of India’s steel growth story. OSPA will serve as a strong and constructive voice for the industry, aligned with the state’s long-term development goals. We will work closely with the government and stakeholders to create an enabling ecosystem for responsible and inclusive industrial growth,” he said.
The association also appointed S.K. Popli, a retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer with expertise in natural resource management, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development, as its Secretary General.
The OSPA was established as a unified platform representing leading steel producers in the state. It aims to promote collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and constructive dialogue with policymakers and other stakeholders to support sustainable and inclusive growth in the sector.
The election meeting was attended by representatives from 15 major steel companies operating in Odisha, including Jindal Steel, JSW Steel, Jindal Stainless, AMNS, Rungta Mines, Narbheram Steel, MGM Steel, Aarti Steel, and Essar Steel.
