Orissa CM reiterates demand for ban on iron ore export

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has reiterated his demand for an immediate ban on export of iron ore while calling for levying of mineral resource rent tax of 50 per cent on iron ore of the surplus rent on private mine owners.

Referring to his letter dated August 30,Naveen,in his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday,pointed out that the current fiscal and regulatory framework for iron ore is resulting in the unjust enrichment of a few mine owners without a commensurate benefit to the community at large. “I understand that the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) has been asked to examine the issue. I hope the EAC has given its views to your office. A decision on the imposition of rent tax should not be delayed any further,” he wrote.

In his previous letter,Naveen had said the huge profits of a few iron ore mining firms were unheard of in any other industry. He said though the state was the owner of mineral resources,mine owners were getting the maximum benefits.