Zee Media Bureau
Rourkela: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the second modernization project of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) in Odisha.
Narendra Modi called upon states to work together with the Centre, with a long-term vision, to develop the country, and pave the way for the prosperity of future generations.
He was addressing a large public meeting at Rourkela, after dedicating to the nation, the 4.5 MT expansion of Rourkela Steel Plant.
He said he has come to Rourkela today to deliver 'vikas' (development). He described Rourkela as the town which has given India the strength of steel.
He said Rourkela Steel Plant plays a key role in the nation's defence as well. The Prime Minister said India had surpassed America in steel production, but was still far behind China, and therefore, a lot more still needed to be done.
He said value addition was necessary in India's mineral wealth, in order to build a strong economy.
The Prime Minister said the world was looking at India again with optimism. He invited investors from across the world to invest in India. He emphasized in particular, the need to develop the eastern part of India, including the states of Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
The Prime Minister said the Centre and States were equal stakeholders in the Nation's development.
He highlighted steps taken by the Centre to strengthen states, including enhancing mineral royalty and greater devolution of financial resources to states. He said it was now upto the states to work with a long-term vision for development. The Prime Minister described the process of auctioning of coal blocks, and said the revenues from this would contribute greatly to the development of states.
The 4.5 million tonne modernisation project of RSP of the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has been built with an expenditure of about Rs 12,000 crore.
Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to visit the plate mill of RSP and hold discussions on various development works carried out by the plant authorities.
Union Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and senior officials of the steel ministry and SAIL accompanied the Prime Minister during his visit.
With Agency Inputs
