Paswan calls for national iron ore policy

Kolkata, Nov 2: The country should have a national iron ore policy to ensure the its proper distribution to various sectors, Minister of Chemicals, Fertilisers and Steel Ram Vilas Paswan said here Sunday.

"Looking at the benefit of the coal policy that was formulated in 2005, our ministry is also of the opinion that an iron ore policy should be formed at the national level," he told reporters after the unveiling of the foundation stone of the JSW Bengal Steel project at Salboni in West Midnapore district of West Bengal.

Earlier during the ceremony, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee urged the steel ministry to ponder over formulating an iron ore policy, which will help the country compete with developed nations.

Seconding Bhattacharjee's views, Paswan said: "A national iron ore policy is required, which will first look into the iron ore need of the nation" and then ensure equal distribution of the mineral to various sectors, he said.

--IANS