Bhubaneswar: “While the Nation is transforming into a global leader, under Prime Minister’s Swadeshi Movement, it is heartening that Navratna PSU Nalco is taking an active part in this endeavour. Nalco’s plans for expansion in Odisha, shall not only boost the development of the State but also help the country achieve new milestones in the field of aluminium industry across the globe,” said Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines, Govt. of India, while presiding over a function at Nalco, here on Saturday. He mentioned that the company is working to set up green power plants of 150MW capacity in Odisha and sought early allocation of land from the State Government. He expressed satisfaction that under Make in India initiative, Nalco has taken steps to enhance its capacity through expansion mostly in Odisha, rather than exporting its alumina outside. It may be mentioned that the company is increasing the capacity of its 0.46 million tonne Aluminium Smelter at Angul, Odisha, with an addition of 0.6 million tonne to its capacity. Also, the company is adding 1 million tonne to the 2.275 million tonne Alumina Refinery at Damanjodi, Odisha, for which environment clearance has been obtained. Mentioning the Central Government’s focus on the development of Eastern India, Goyal also appreciated Jual Oram, Hon’ble Minister for Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India and Dharmendra Pradhan, Honble Minister of State (IC), for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt. of India for their efforts towards making Odisha one of the emerging and fast-growing states. He specially appreciated Nalco for its initiative to develop the surroundings of Lord Jagannath Temple and to transform Puri into an iconic city, under PM’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Dedication of 198 MW Wind Power Plants of NALCO to the Nation
Gracing the occasion as Chief Guest, Jual Oram dedicated the 198 MW Wind Power Plants of Nalco to the Nation through VSAT. The wind power plants are located at Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh (50.4 MW), Ludarwa, Rajasthan (47.6 MW), Devikot, Rajasthan (50 MW) and Jath, Maharashtra (50.4 MW). Striking a kindred spirit with Nalco, where he started his career, Oram lauded Nalco for its continuous efforts towards the growth of the people of Odisha, along with industrial development.
Centenary celebration of Champaran Satyagraha
Prior to this, Jual Oram also inaugurated an exhibition on centenary celebration of Champaran Satyagraha. The exhibition showcased Champaran Movement through display panels, live painting by noted painter Rabi Rath, sand animation by Suchitra Maheshweta, a skit and dance.
Signing of MoU with IIT, Bhubaneswar and MIDHANI
On this occasion, Nalco signed an MoU with Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar on R&D under its Industry-Institution Interaction programme. Another MoU was signed with MIDHANI, a central PSU under Ministry of Defence, for high-end aluminium products to reduce imports of such items.
Nalco ki Ladlis Feted
Also, on this occasion, the ministers handed over cheques to 10 BPL girl students from Angul and Damanjodi, as part of the ‘Nalco ki Ladli’ Scheme. It may be mentioned that, the company, as part of the scheme, which has been designed in line with the Govt. of India’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme, has given support to 181 meritorious girl students so far. Prizes to the winners of the painting and essay competitions on ‘Champaran Satyagraha’ were also distributed on the occasion.
Indradhanush
Under Nalco’s ongoing Indradhanush programme, 755 tribal children from Korpaut district of Odisha have been brought to mainstream education in three residential schools. Jual Oram and Goyal also met a group of such children studying at KISS, Bhubaneswar. In his welcome address, Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD, Nalco thanked Piyush Goyal for allocating two coal blocks and bridge linkage coal to Nalco. With these, the problems of raw material securitization and availability of power for expanding capacities have been solved, he said.
Comments are closed.