OdishaLIVE Bureau
Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Rural Development, Parliamentary Affairs, Panchayati Raj and Mines and Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, lauded NALCO and the aluminium industry for showcasing India’s might and technological advancements in front of a global audience, at the concluding ceremony of the 3-day International Conference on Aluminium (INCAL 2019) held in Bhubaneswar.
’’ The Mines Ministry is committed to the development of the aluminium sector and will look into the recommendations that come out of INCAL 2019. Mining constitutes an important contributor in the economy of the country. During the last three years, the sector has witnessed major policy interventions to promote exploration and enhance private sector participation.
The MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 has put in place a transparent and competitive e-auction process for allocating mineral blocks. To encourage private sector participation National Mineral Exploration Policy was also formulated. Further, 100% FDI in automatic route of mining and exploration of metal and non-metal has enhanced the FDI inflows to the sector significantly,’’ said Narendra Singh Tomar.
Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, stressed on the need to develop the Eastern Region of India for all-round growth of the nation. ’’I laud the efforts of AAI for organizing INCAL for the first time in the Eastern region and in the State of Odisha. This is a welcome step considering that Odisha, with more than 50% of bauxite reserves of the country is turning out to be the Aluminium Capital of India.’’ Shri Pradhan also pitched Odisha as a powerhouse for readily available low-cost mineral resources and manpower.
At the outset Dr. T. K Chand, Chairman, AAI & CMD, NALCO, summed up the proceedings of the 3-day Meet and hoped that INCAL 2019 will provide a roadmap for the aluminium industry. Shri Subroto Bagchi, Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA), also addressed the gathering.
Besides other industry stalwarts, technologists, policy-makers, Dr. Allais Bernard, Director-Technology, ALCAN and Mr. Olaf Freier, Event Director, Reed Exhibition, Deutshland, Gmbh, were also present on the occasion.
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