From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 3: Karnataka will become the world Number 1 Steel Producer in the next 4 to 5 years, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Addressing the conference on auctioning of commercial iron ore mines and the opportunities for investment in the mining sector held under the aegis of the Union Coal and Mining Ministry, he said the State already had one of the largest steel producing factory.

While Odisha is the leading mining State in the country, Bommai said the steel producing factories in the State are known for producing the best quality steel.

The Chief Minister said technology must be adopted in the energy, mining and steel sectors and also used in extracting ores necessary for the industry.

Several companies have evinced interest in revival of the Kolar Gold Mines, he said pointing out that the State Government has already simplified the mining sector. The mining industrialists must invest in the State and help in the State’s growth and prosperity, he said.

At the same time, the mining sector must ensure that they take steps for protecting the environment and also protecting the interests of the workers. There is need for ensuring stability in the mining and steel industry. The mining activities must be conducted in a scientific manner.

Bommai said the State Government was making big investments in the renewable energy sector in the next 3 years and taking steps for hydrogen based energy production as also generation of ammonia from the sea.

The Chief Minister coal, iron ore and steel production were key sectors. The mining sector will provide a big help in the goal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to turn the country into a US $ 5 million economy.

Govt to provide Rs 5 lakh insurance cover for physically challenged

The Chief Minister, who later participated in the International Day of the Physically Challenged and Empowerment of Senior Citiezens organised by the Physically Challenged and Senior Citizens Empowerment Department, announced that the State Government will come up with a scheme for providing free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh through an insurance cover.
Bommai said the State Government has decided to provide 3% reservation benefit for the physically challenged persons in all government housing schemes.

The Chief Minister promised to distribute 2,000 powered tricycles to the physically challenged persons by March 31 at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

The grant provided by the government for the homes providing shelter and care to the physically challenged persons has been enhanced from Rs 6,800 toRs 10,000 each and residential homes for the physically challenged persons will be providing the grant of Rs 9,000 each from the previous Rs 6,000. Similarly, the government is enhancing the grants to the blind, deaf kids as also for the daycare and old age centres. The monthly compensation to the acid attack victims is being raised from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000, he said.