Bhubaneswar, June 2: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi held a high-level meeting on Monday with G. Kishan Reddy, the Union Minister for Coal and Mines, at the Lok Seva Bhawan. During the meeting, he requested increased central support to bolster the state’s mining sector and enhance Odisha’s contribution to the national economy.
The Chief Minister emphasized Odisha’s growing importance in India’s mineral economy and industrial development. He noted that the state produced approximately 471 million tons of minerals during the fiscal year 2025-26, generating nearly ₹46,000 crore in revenue.
However, he stressed that further development in this sector requires more cooperation from the central government. Chief Minister Majhi urged the Union Minister to expedite forest and environmental clearances for the mining blocks auctioned in Odisha. He also sought the central government’s support for the allocation of the Susubohumali bauxite block and the Thakurani iron ore block to the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC).
Majhi highlighted the need for rapid development of rail and port infrastructure to make mineral transportation more efficient and cost-effective. He also suggested creating a suitable framework for filling abandoned coal mines with fly ash, which could serve as an environmentally sustainable restoration measure.
Additionally, the Chief Minister requested easier access to advanced technologies for mineral analysis and resource assessment. In response to the proposals, Minister Reddy stated that addressing issues in the mining sector requires coordinated efforts among multiple ministries, including Railways, Ports, and Forest and Environment.
He proposed a high-level meeting involving all relevant central ministries and the Odisha government to resolve mining-related issues through a comprehensive and collaborative approach. The meeting also focused on the development of mining-affected areas and the welfare of local communities.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized implementing welfare schemes at a “saturation level” to fully cover all eligible beneficiaries. The meeting resolved to integrate central and state government plans with District Mineral Fund (DMF) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to promote comprehensive development in mining areas.
The Odisha government informed the meeting that it has prepared a dedicated initiative called “CM Sampada” to promote integrated development in mining regions and ensure effective resource utilization for community welfare.
Several issues related to central public sector undertakings (PSUs) operating in the mining sector were also discussed.
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