india

Updated: Nov 16, 2019 16:39 IST

Chhattisgarh government on Friday decided to extend mining lease of National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) in the state, which is set to end in March 2020.Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has also announced that there will be a joint venture for diamond-mineral prospecting operations between the NMDC and the CMDC in Saraipali Tahsil of Mahasamund district.

The decision came after the meeting of Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of NMDC Baijendra Kumar and Bhupesh Baghel on Friday.“A housing project worth Rs 1200 crore in the Nagarnar Steel Plant of NMDC will be constructed by the Chhattisgarh Housing Board. The NMDC has assured that the payments to the state government as per the demand raised by the state on the mining issues to the tune of Rs 600 crore will be paid to the state government,” said a government press release.

The NMDC produces about 70 percent of its total annual iron ore from mines in Chhattisgarh which are in Bastar’s Dantewada district.Baghel congratulated the NMDC and appreciated its role in the nation building and its support to the state of Chhattisgarh.