Visakhapatnam, Nov 9 (UNI) Union Minister of Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said that his Ministry will try to supply raw material at special price to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), the Corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), from OMDC (Orissa Mineral Development Company) for benefit of RINL.

Speaking on his maiden visit to VSP along with RINL Chairman and Managing Director PK Rath, Mr Pradhan that RINL has been aspiring for captive iron ore mines to face the competition and to reduce cost of production.

The Ministry of Steel is sincerely pursuing with the Odisha Government regarding operationalization of iron ore mines of Orissa Mineral Development Company (OMDC), he said the MoS is also trying to supply raw material at special price to RINL from OMDC .

He said that RINL should go for Joint Ventures to face competition, wealth creation and provide more value and increase the economic activity in this region.

Apprising the latest technology incorporated in the plant, expansion and modernization of RINL, the Union Minister said that RINL has very high technical capability and the employees’ potential has already been recognized by the Ministry of Steel.

He said that the states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are mineral rich and have great potential for development.

The Minister observed that with increase in economic activity there will be more employment opportunities, generation of more revenues to local and union government.

Earlier, Mr Rath, in his welcome address said Mr Pradhan’s visit has given a great inspiration to entire RINL collective and explained about the expansion, modernization and completion of Kaniti Balancing Reservoir-2, Central Dispatch Yard and Twin Ladle Heating Furnace, which is considered as completion of 7.3 mtpa expansion of the plant.

Visakhpatnam MP MVV Satyanarayana, Anakapalli MP Dr Satyavathi and local public representatives graced the occasion.

Later, the Steel Minister interacted with the representatives of Unions, SC, ST amd OBC associations.

UNI KNR CS 1841