Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik today urged the steel industries in the state to adopt environmentally sustainable technology to minimise adverse impact on the environment and ecology.
Use of clean and green technology will help to reduce carbon emissions and address the concerns of global warming, he said.
“Raw material with intensive carbon content, which forms the primary source in steel production, is bound to influence changes in climate. Mining also produces negative impact on quality of air, water and soils. Therefore, it is important that suitable pollution prevention and control measures along with appropriate technology is adopted by the steel units”, Patnaik emphasized.
Addressing the delegates of the International Convention on Clean, Green and Sustainable Technologies in iron and steel making here, the chief minister said, finite natural resources need to be conserved as Orissa and the entire eastern region is poised to produce more steel in the coming days. The state alone has signed 49 memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the steel sector envisaging a production of 90 million tonne. Stating that the robust and strong policy framework introduced by the Orissa government in last couple of years has ushered in industrial revolution in the state, Patnaik said, Orissa Industries Facilitation Act, 2004, has brought transparency in the project approval process.
It has also created a hassle free environment for obtaining clearances from various agencies through single window mechanism. This procedural framework is complemented by a pro-people re-settlement and rehabilitation (R&R) policy. It aims at promoting inclusive growth enabling the affected people to benefit from the project.
Quoting from a recent World Bank report, the chief minister said, Bhubaneswar was ranked third among the cities of the country easiest for doing business. Since the state government believes in continuous improvement, required reforms will be taken to reach the top place, Patnaik added.
Chief secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy said, the first come-first serve basis will not work in allotment of mines to the industries. Union government’s steel policy and mining policy should come together to augment steel production in the country. “If you expect industries to adopt environment friendly technology they should be allowed liberal mining. Otherwise it will be mining friendly and not industry friendly”, Tripathy stated.
Delivering the welcome address Ashok Dalwai, secretary, steel and mines department of Orissa government said, the state has entered the second stage of industrialisation and attention is given on the process of steel production for attaining sustainable development. More than 200 delegates including 50 foreign delegates are taking part in this three day long convention.
