Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel attended the All India Steel Conclave on Sunday. While addressing the steel industrialists from all over India on this occasion, he said that the Government of Chhattisgarh is ready to enable the steel sector to progress.

Steel industry is the backbone of Chhattisgarh’s economy, but from the last few years this industry has been facing many challenges. Sometimes costly electricity becomes a problem, sometimes there is a fuel crisis, sometimes the need for cheap raw material is deeply felt, sometimes there is the global crisis of Corona and lockdown. But because of Chhattisgarh’s industrial policy, industries didn't shut down even during the Corona pandemic.

"Even at the cost of the government's loss, we gave exemption in electricity so that industries keep running. Our state exports coal to the entire country, we didn't let the supply of coal stop even during the Corona pandemic. Through the Raipur M.P., I urge the Central Government to grant coal linkage to steel traders from SECL," the CM said.

"The condition of roads has deteriorated because of coal mines. Bad roads have also adversely affected transportation, making it costlier. That is why, during the establishment of any industry, roads should be included in the project," Baghel added.

"When the second wave of Corona virus arrived, then the national capital and other states faced the shortage of oxygen, but there was no scarcity of oxygen in Chhattisgarh. We readily issued licenses to industrialists to set up oxygen plants. I requested the Prime Minister to provide some oxygen to steel plants as well so that the plants can operate."

During the Corona pandemic, laborers from all over the nation were deserting, but such was not the case in Chhattisgarh. Because of a good industrial policy, industries continued to operate even during the pandemic," the CM said.

"During the Corona crisis, when lockdown circumstances were formed, it seemed as if the steel sector of the state will perish, but we worked in unison. The government strengthened the steel sector and our steel industry became a source of strength for our government. Even during the pandemic, our state manufactured the highest quantity of steel in the country," Bhagel added.

The industrial landscape of Chhattisgarh has completely changed in the last four years. In the program, the Forest and Environment Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar, Raipur M.P. Mr. Sunil Soni, and officials of Steel Conclave Mr. Ramesh Agrawal and Mr. Surendra Tripathi were present.