The task force on cement chaired by the industry secretary has suggested the steel and mines department of the Orissa government to take steps to convert the non-working limestone mining leases (ML) into working mining lease to facilitate exploration and excavation of the mineral.
It has also urged the department to initiate steps for allotment of limestone mines for the projects which have already been approved by the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA), sources said.
The Task Force considered the proposals for setting up cement plants in the Malkangiri district. While three companies have given proposals another company has submitted the expression of interest (EoI) to set up cement plants in Malkangiri district. These firms are Shree Cement, Madras Cement, Binanai Cement and ACC Cement. The SLSWCA, in its meeting held in May 2009, had taken a decision to encourage setting up of cement plants in Malkangiri district.
In the recent meeting of the Task Force, both Shree Cement and Madras Cement were asked to expedite the submission of the required information like details plans on infrastructural requirement, funding on public-private-partnership (PPP) mode, joint venture with other parties, viability of the projects, CSR activities and confidence building measures among others.
Similarly, Binani Cement and ACC Ltd were advised to submit details of the proposals without linking them to their applications for setting up units in Sundergarh district. Sources said, Shree Cement has proposed to set up a 2 mtpa cement plant at Kotameta or Nandiveda with a captive power plant of 36 Mw with an investment of Rs 653 crore. Similarly, Madras Cement plans to set up a 2 mtpa cement plant at malkangiri at an investment of Rs 750 crore. Besides, Binani Cement proposed to set up a 3 mtpa cement plant along with a 35 Mw power plant at an investment of Rs 900 crore.
On the other hand, the Task Force has decided to recommend to the SLSWCA the proposal of the J K Laxmi Cement Ltd for setting up a 1 million tonne per annum cement grinding unit at Choudwar with import of clinker from Chhatishgarh and without any raw-material linkage.
