BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday strongly advocated the need to impose mineral resources rent tax on mining companies at 50 per cent of the surplus rent. He said this would help mineral-rich states like Orissa to raise much-needed resources for development. Naveen also suggested that export of ore should be banned and technologies developed to derive benefits of value addition. Addressing the National Development Council (NDC) meeting in Delhi, he drew its attention to the ‘supernormal’ profits being reaped by the mining companies operating in the State. Profits of mining operators exceed even the approved annual plan size of Orissa, he said and added such an unwarranted situation is the outcome of flawed Central policies which have perpetuated low loyalty rates and artificially low prices determined by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM).SPECIAL CATEGORY STATUS: Naveen also reiterated the demand for according special category state status to Orissa. The Chief Minister said Orissa fulfils all the criteria for the status except for an international boundary which should not be a limiting factor. Expressing serious concern over the growing menace of Left-wing extremism (LWE), the Chief Minister suggested that the 12th Plan should sharply focus on a multi-pronged strategy to address the situation. He said since containing Naxal menace is a joint responsibility, charges towards deployment of Central forces should not be levied only on states. The Chief Minister reiterated his proposal to introduce suitable amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, and the National Thermal Power Policy for ensuring fair and equitable sharing of costs and benefits. He demanded that host states like Orissa should be entitled to 25 per cent free thermal power as in the case of hydro power. Moreover, restructured accelerated power development and reform programme should be extended to Orissa without any delay, he said.BILLS OPPOSED: Opposing the proposed Indian Ports Bill, 2011, and Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill, 2011, Naveen said such tendencies, which erode the autonomy of the states and weaken the federal structure, should be avoided. The Chief Minister requested the Centre to extend the special plan for KBK (undivided Koraput-Balangir-Kalahandi) region for at least 10 years beyond 2011-12 and approve an eight-year perspective plan for the region at Rs 4,550 crore.
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