ODISHA CM AND SOUTH KOREA ENVOY MEETS OVER POSCO ISSUE

ODISHA CM AND SOUTH KOREA ENVOY MEETS OVER POSCO ISSUE 03/05/2012

SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA,BUREAU CHIEF

INDINO/THESE DAYS NEWS SERVICE, ODISHA:


South Korea envoy Kim Jung meets Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Posco project delay. After the meeting Jung said media that it was very fruitful meeting with CM Patnaik over POSCO issue. Envoy Kim Jung expects Posco work will be started from this year.


Kim, who was on a two-day visit to the State in connection with the 12-mt steel project, discussed on the future of the project with members of the Confederation of Indian Industries and met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday, said “Posco can start construction work of the steel project towards the second half of this year (2012-13).

Indicating that there is no question of shifting the project, Kim said, “If requisite land for the steel mill will not be available, we may reduce the plant size but the project will be set up in the earmarked site.”

Talking to newsmen after meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat here, Kim said the site of the project is well- located as It is nearer to sea and river. “Though the Government has provided half of our land requirement, we need some additional land for the project,” he said.

It should be noted that Odisha Government recently asks South Korean steel major Posco to start welfare work for local people near proposed site. The state government has said that the Posco now should start welfare work in the available land to gain the confidence of the local people.

"Every possible effort has been made by government of Odisha to complete the process of handing over the balance required land. The activities of administration such as betel vine demolition, tree cutting, demolition of prawn ponds should be accompanied by the activities of Posco-India, viz, construction of rehabilitation colony, providing alternative employment to the landless betel vine laborers and construction of surge protection wall," said a letter sent by the state steel and mines department to the forest and environment department on Apr 25. It should be noted that due to local people's opposition the Rs. 52,000 crore project, which is the biggest FDI in the country, is staring at a bleak future.