Steel Plant: CM Majhi approves task force for steel plant in Keonjhar | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Majhi on Saturday approved the formation of a high-level task force under the chairmanship of the chief secretary for setting up a mega steel plant in Keonjhar district.
While reviewing the progress of the industrial sector at Lok Seva Bhawan here, Majhi noted that despite being rich in mineral resources, Keonjhar does not have a mega steel plant yet.The district has necessary infrastructure, including land, water, electricity and communication, according to the review.
Following a discussion, it was decided to form a task force to discuss with various interested industrial groups to expedite the process of establishing a mega steel plant in Keonjhar. Majhi instructed officials to focus on sectors that provide more employment opportunities to the youths. He said the state govt aims to create 3,50,000 jobs in the next five years.
“There is significant potential for employment in sectors like textiles and food processing. He (Majhi) suggested focusing on how more industries can be established in these areas and encouraged Odia entrepreneurs to set up industries in these sectors,” a statement from the CMO read.
Principal secretary of the industries department, Hemant Sharma, presented the progress of various sectors. He stated that since 2016, 989 applications have been received for establishing industrial units, of which 674 projects have been approved by the govt. Of the approved projects, land has been allocated to 352, and work has commenced for 183 projects. Altogether 74 industries have become operational, Shama stated.
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