Tuesday, May 6 2025 | Time 05:41 Hrs(IST)
Business EconomyPosted at: May 5 2025 9:07PM


The white paper highlights Odisha’s emergence as one of the country’s fastest-growing regional economies, driven by mining and manufacturing.
A key call to action is the immediate opening of bauxite mining in resource-rich but underdeveloped regions like Kalahandi, to ensure local communities fully benefit from the state's growth.
“Odisha’s mineral wealth is a national asset,” Dr. Sarangi added. “But without strong forward linkages and inclusive development frameworks, we risk squandering another generation of opportunity. This white paper is a practical, timely blueprint for Odisha’s transition from a raw resource supplier to a true value creator.”
The report also notes that states like Gujarat and Maharashtra have outpaced Odisha in industrial growth despite having fewer resources. While mining has brought revenue and jobs to Odisha, the state has missed key strategic opportunities due to execution delays, economic loss from exporting raw ore, local opposition, and infrastructure gaps.
Currently, India imports bauxite from countries like China and several African nations to meet domestic demand—despite Odisha having the capacity to fulfill these needs.
Industries investing in Odisha should receive priority access to its abundant minerals, rather than relying on imports.
Fully unlocking Odisha’s bauxite potential could empower over 10,000 SMEs, create 2.4 million jobs, and draw billions in investment. However, the report emphasizes that Odisha doesn’t need more minerals—it needs smarter policies to transform its natural wealth into lasting prosperity.
Although the state contributes over 80% of India’s raw and semi-processed mineral exports, it receives only a fraction of the economic value through royalties—missing out on taxation, employment, and reinvestment opportunities.
“This is not just a policy document—it’s a blueprint for generational change,” said Sanjeev K. Singh, State Program Manager at AIDENT.
“If implemented, these recommendations could make Odisha the epicenter of India’s next industrial revolution, with tribal communities, women, and youth at its core.”
The report also outlines the broader social impact of responsible mining. In districts like Rayagada and Kalahandi, sustainable mining has already led to indirect employment for over 7,000 people and funded essential services through the Rs.12,000+ crore DMF (District Mineral Foundation) corpus.
The white paper calls for institutionalizing such models across all mining districts to ensure that mining results in generational upliftment—not just GDP growth.
It arrives at a critical time, with Odisha’s economy growing faster than the national average, and a development-focused government driving policy shifts towards industrialization, infrastructure, and manufacturing leadership.
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