Odisha Govt To Form Task Force For Mega Steel Plant In Keonjhar; CM Says 3.5 Lakh Jobs To Be Generated In 5 Years

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday reviewed the progress made by the state in the industrial sector and stressed the need for establishment of more labour intensive projects.

Speaking at the meeting held in Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said that the government has set a target of creating over 3.5 lakh employment opportunities in the state during the next five years.

Since textiles and food processing sectors have adequate potential for generating more jobs, steps should be taken to ensure setting up of such units, he said, adding that Odia entrepreneurs should be encouraged to set up units in these sectors.

Lamenting that no mega steel plant has so far been set up in mineral-rich Keonjhar district, the CM said the district is also home to abundant land, water, power, communication and all the required infrastructure, apart from mineral resources. Therefore, efforts should be stepped up for establishment of a mega steel plant in Keonjhar district, the CM directed the officials.

It was decided at the meeting that a task force will be formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary for holding talks with different industrial houses for establishment of a mega steel plant in Keonjhar.

Principal Secretary of Industries department Hemant Sharma presented a detailed account of progress made in establishment of industrial units in different sectors. Since 2016, a total of 989 applications were received for establishment of industries and 674 of these have been approved so far by the single window authority, he said. While land has been handed over to 352 of these applicants, work has started for 183 units and 74 have already become operational, Sharma said.

Similarly, the state has received 12 proposals for foreign direct investment and efforts are on for implementation of 41 important investment proposals, he said.

The Chief Minister stressed that the state has enormous potential for industrialisation and the government needs to accelerate the process of providing proper cooperation to the industrial houses.
The meeting was attended among others by Industries Minister Sampad Swain, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Additional Chief Secretary to the MC Nikunja Bihari Dhal, Principal Secretary, Finance, Saswat Mishra and Managing Director of IPICOL B S Punia.