‘Make iron ore available for local industries’

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Ranchi, March 19: Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda Monday informed the state assembly that he has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, requesting fixing of rates for iron ore so that the state could purchase it from the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) to meet the local industries’ requirements.

“I have written a letter to Prime Minister, requesting him to fix rate of iron ore mines which could be procured by the state through NMDC. The state will buy the iron ore mines to cater to needs of the local industries,” said Munda, while answering a question during CM question hour in the assembly Monday.

Nirbhay Singh Sahabadi, a legislator of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantric (JVM-P) raised the question of pathetic condition of the small and medium scale industries of the state, in absence of the availability of the raw materials like mines.

While replying to his question, Munda said: “Minerals are allocated by the central government and the state government has only recommendatory powers. There is provision of coal-linkage but problem lies with iron ore mines and we have taken up the issue with the PM to make iron ore available to the state through NMDC.”

To another question about the list of revising BPL families, Munda said: “We have requested the central government to constitute a national council, which will survey and enlist names of the people in BPL list.”

To another question, Munda said the state government had agreed, in principle, to increase superannuation of the university teachers from 62 to 65 years.

Munda also informed the house that the state government was in discussion with the concerned people and in touch with the Planning Commission to formulate the Right to Health Services Act.

In Jharkhand assembly, there is provision of a 30-minute CM question hour session every Monday, during which legislators can ask questions related to policy matters.

IANS