Bhubaneswar, Sept. 9: The state government today said it was serious about addressing the issue of raw material linkage to various industrial houses.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, steel and mines minister Prafulla Mallick said: "We will solve the raw material issue. We are seriously<> trying to make mines, including those owned by the Odisha Mining Corporation, operational."

Stating that Odisha was the first state in the country to frame rules for the district mineral foundation, a body created to bring far-reaching changes in India's mining regulations, Mallick said: "The government is serious about overall development of sensitive areas such as Kandhamal, Koraput and Mayurbhanj by utilising existing funds."

However, the minister maintained that there must be effective and time-bound co-ordination between the Centre and the state on various issues, including forest and environmental clearances.

State steel and mines secretary R.P. Sharma said: "We aim to enhance our iron ore production from 80 million tonnes to 110 million tonnes by the next fiscal. Despite the increase in production, Odisha is not confident that its revenue from the iron ore will increase."

He said: "As the iron ore price in the international market has gone down, it has had its impact on the revenue collection from iron ore."

Sharma said: "Odisha also aims to increase its coal production. We are also in the final stage of setting up a body called Odisha Mineral Exploration Limited. Once it comes into existence, efforts would be made to explore minerals. The corporation will undertake scientific mineral exploration."

Sharma also said the state was going to introduce mobile-based app to keep tabs on the movement of minerals.

The federation's Odisha state council chairman (energy panel) Sanjeev Das said: "The state government should adopt a time-bound approach to give a boost to the mining sector. Besides co-ordination between the state and the Centre on the issue of mining, emphasis should be laid on exploration."

Stating that it was time to think why Odisha was lagging behind in the mineral sector despite having rich mineral resources, Das said: "The government should stress on improving infrastructure in the mining belt for smooth transportation of minerals."

Among others, Essel Mining CEO Ashok Bal, Essar Steel India Limited CEO Rajendra Mittal, Essar Steel Limited CEO N.K. Nanda, Tata Steel's chief resident executive Manikkant Naik were present.