(a) whether the Government are formulating any scheme
to set up bauxite based industry in the bauxite dominated
areas of the country, particularly at Lohardaga and Ranchi;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to promote bauxite based industries?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES AND MINERALS
(SMT. RITA VERMA)
(a) (b) & (c) There is no proposal to set up any greenfield
Alumina/Aluminium Plant in the public sector. However,
National Aluminium Company Ltd., (NALCO) a Public Sector
Company, is currently implementing major expansion programmes
for increasing its capacity of Bauxite Mines and Refinery (at
Damanjodi, Orissa) and Smelter and Captive Power Plant (at
Angul, Orissa).
(d) Manufacture of Alumina and Aluminium metal have been
exempted from the provision of compulsory lincensing. Hence
entrepreneurs are now free to set up bauxite based industries
i.e. new Alumina Refineries and Aluminium smelters by simply
filing an Industrial Entrepreneurs` Memorandum. The sector
is also open to foreign direct investment.