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JSPL seeks Odisha’s intervention to reduce iron ore price
Bhubaneswar, Feb 1 (IANS) Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) Chairman Naveen Jindal on Thursday sought the Odisha government’s intervention to bring down iron ore prices and run closed mines for the survival of the steel industry.
“The steel industry is facing difficulties in iron ore supply as its price has gone up by about 100 per cent. The Odisha government should take up the issue with the Centre to re-open and run closed iron ore mines through ordinance or other means, so that iron ore production increases and price comes down,” said Jindal.
Jindal on Thursday met Chief Secretary A.P. Padhi and Industries Secretary Sanjeev Chopra at the state Secretariat here.
Jindal also met Minister for Mines and Steel Prafulla Kumar Mallik.
He said closure of iron ore mines and increase in iron ore price has affected Odisha’s steel industry.
“The steel industry in Odisha is importing coal and limestone. If iron ore is to be imported, then the steel industry in Odisha will not survive,” said Jindal.
Except for three steel companies, all other firms have become insolvent and gone to the National Company Law Tribunal.
If iron ore price is not brought down, it will impact these companies too, the JSPL Chairman added.
“JSPL has invested more than Rs 33,000 crore in Angul plant. If we won’t get iron ore at an affordable price, how will the company become competitive and give thousands of jobs that have been created,” he asked.
“If iron ore mines become operational, lakhs of people will get employment. The state government will also get royalty and fund to District Mineral Foundation (DMF). So it is very important to make the closed iron ore mines operational as soon as possible,” he said.
Jindal demanded increasing availability of railway rakes for transfer of raw material for industries.
“We are not able to run the plant at full capacity because of unavailability or railway rakes. Steps should be taken to make improve railway rakes availability,” he demanded.
Similarly, he also demanded increasing coal production by Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd to make coal available for power generation.
The Chief Secretary assured Jindal that the issues would be examine as the possible course of action like promulgating an ordinance is in the central government’s domain. However, representations from the steel industry and mines’ associations can be examined for taking it up with the union government for necessary action, an official said.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.