Jharkhand chief minister wants ban on export of iron ore

Thursday, 01 Sep 2011

Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda suggested a ban on iron ore export to other countries keeping the country's future per capita requirement of steel.

Mr Munda, echoing similar demands voiced by iron ore producing states of Orissa and Chhattisgarh, asked “Why didn’t parties supporting the Centre raise the issue in Parliament demanding a total ban on the export of iron ore from the state?”

Mr Munda told reporters that "Now 5.6 million tonne iron ore is being exported, and the National Mining Development Corporation should stop export of iron ore for the benefit of the country.”

Mr Munda recalled a meeting in Delhi some time ago when he had suggested the Centre to keep future requirement of per capita iron ore in the country and should not export iron ore.

In all, there are 39 mining leases issued by the Centre in Jharkhand. Of them, 28 have been producing and exporting iron ore.

(Sourced from Telegraph & ET)