Bhubaneswar, May 17: The All Orissa Steel Federation (AOSF) has urged the Orissa government to recommend to the Centre to nationalise the mineral reserves, mines and declare administered prices for iron ore, chrome ore and other such minerals.

Addressing a news conference here, president of the federation P.L. Kandoi said: “All the industries should be given a level-playing field. All minerals should not be handed over to a few mine owners. The natural wealth of Orissa is for the entire state and not for a few individuals. Few persons should not take advantage of the natural resources.”

Stating that there are no legal hassles to nationalise natural resources, Kandoi said: “The Supreme Court has clarified that all natural resources are for the benefit of all and not for few persons only. The government is merely a trustee.”

Kandoi said that given a level-playing field, the products made by local steel industries would cost roughly Rs 25,000 per metric tonne against the present price pegged at Rs 40,000 per metric tonne by the national players. The current selling rates of steel rods would come down by 65 per cent of the current rate, he said.

The association said the steel sector was facing hardships owing to exploitation and loot by the mine owners. “The industrial sector will be happy if the producing units get raw materials at a reasonable price. This will help nearly 400 steel industrial units in the state. Such a step would help provide fillip to the steel units in the state.”