Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday promised to adopt a long-term pricing policy for iron ore from NMDC for sponge iron industries of Chhattisgarh and to take the initiative regarding supply of five million tonnes of iron ore to the industries.

Baghel gave this assurance when a delegation of various industrial and commercial organisations of Durg-Rajnandgaon met Baghel to congratulate him on securing the second spot in the ranking of most popular Chief Ministers

Appreciating Baghel’s battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, the delegation said that due to the efforts of the state government, the price of iron ore from NMDC has come down.

But due to the company’s complex policies, the price keeps increasing every month. If there is a provision for pricing for a long period, it will help the industry, the delegation said.

The delegation requested that to encourage trade within the state, essential commodities required by large plants located in Chhattisgarh should not be bought from outside if they are produced by small scale industries in the state.

The delegation informed the Chief Minister about the losses incurred by poultry industry during the Covid-19 induced lockdown.

They argued that rice bran oil of the best quality is made in Chhattisgarh and it can get international recognition with the government’s cooperation.

A renowned institution recently conducted a nationwide survey of Chief Ministers’ performance and image in public. Baghel took the second spot. The delegation said this was a proud moment for Chhattisgarh.

The Chief Minister said that to boost the state’s economy, the Chhattisgarh government has decided to buy products from the dealers of companies producing these goods in the state.

Baghel urged the industrialists to follow the guidelines of the Central and state governments regarding coronavirus.

He sought separate arrangements for the stay of drivers and cleaners of trucks carrying goods from outside to the industries in the state and warned that they should be kept away from coming into contact with workers in the industries.

The delegation presented a memento to Baghel, who promised to consider sympathetically their demands.

Among those who called on the Chief Minister were K.K. Jha of Chhattisgarh Small and Ancillary Industries Association, Arvinder Singh Khurana of BSP Ancillary Industries Association Bhilai, Ravi Gupta of Borai Industries Association Rasmara Durg, Anil Aggarwal of Sponge Iron Manufacturing Association Bhilai and Bahadur Ali.