By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 6, 2016 : Coming under pressure from industry and opposition parties, the Odisha government on Saturday asked the state-run Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to scale up production to meet the target of 8.64 million tonnes (mt) in the 2016-17 financial year.

OMC produced 2.41 mt of iron ore and chrome by July end.

“We have a production target of 8.64 mt for 2016-17 fiscal year. We achieved 2.41 mt production till July end. We will reach our target within the scheduled time,” OMC managing director Vineel Krishna said.

Presiding over a review meeting on different issues concerning OMC, chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi directed OMC to increase production of minerals in the state.

The mining PSU has set a target to produce three mt iron ore from Daitari mines, 2.4 mt from Kurmitar mines and two mt from Gandhamardan-B mines during 2016-17. Similarly in chrome, a target has been set to produce 1.1 mt from South Kaliapani mines, 0.13 mt from Sukrungi mines and 15,000 mt from Bangur mines.

The OMC was also asked to enhance the production of Daitari mines from 3 mt per annum to 6 mt per annum, Kurmitar mines from 2.4 mt to 6 mt per annum and Unchabali mines from 0.07 mt to 1.0 mt per annum.

The state government has sent applications for environmental clearance for enhancing annual production from these mines to the union ministry of environment and forest. The Chief Secretary directed OMC officials to follow up the issue and expedite the clearances.

The officials also discussed in length on issues of forest clearance, conducting of Gram Sabha, DGPS survey, sales policy of OMC and extension of railway lines for evacuation of coal in Talcher coalfield.