The state government embarked on a detailed review of progress made by companies who have signed MoUs for establishing steel plants in the state.
As many as 23 steel plant project proposals including those of Tata, Mittal, Posco and Essar were reviewed today, said official sources adding that the review will continue tomorrow.
Land acquisition related bottlenecks were discussed as many of these projects have been delayed due to stiff resistance movements, said reliable sources.
These sources pointed out that the other area of concern for industrial houses was delay in processing the raw material linkage to the projects.
Officials, however, underplayed the raw material/iron ore mines related problems and said any delay on this can be overcome by availing ore from Orissa Mining Corporation.
It may be noted that last month, a detailed interface between industries and the government had taken place wherein the problem areas and possible solutions were listed out. The government on its part had asked project authorities to expedite CSR work, recruit locals to gain confidence of the people.
Mr Rajesh Chintak of Tata Steel said the company is hopeful of starting construction work for its Kalinga Nagar steel plant in three to four months time.
Mr Chintak, who attended a review meeting of steel plant projects here today said the company had already investmented Rs 6,000 crore.
Of the1,100 families to be displaced, 800 have been shifted to the resettlement colony, he said.
It is pertinent to note that most of the companies have had to redraw their schedules and have overrun their original date of commissioning by at least two years.
Posco to fulfill conditions
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has put forward 15 conditions to be fulfilled by Posco-India before going ahead with its project at Jagatsinghpur.
The conditions are mainly general conditions imposed on any transfer of land for such a mega project, but there are some that pertain specifically to the Posco-India project, like providing fishing facility to the fishermen community of Noliasahi.
But there are no tribals living in the proposed project site area and hence media reports on the condition relating to tribal population does raise some ambiguity.
"However, we will await further advice on this subject by governmental authorities and hope that the transfer of encroachment-free land to us is expedited," said Mr Simanta Mohanty, general manager (External Relations) of the company.
Some of the other conditions are that no damage should be caused to the flora and fauna of the area, all possible afforestation measures must be undertaken, affected families should be suitably compensated.
Meanwhile, the indefinite-fast launched by the 58 Nalco land-losers in Angul jail entered its fourth day today.
Several of them became serious and were administered saline by jail authorities. It may be recalled that a total of 63 persons were arrested by Banarpal police when they blocked the coal supply to Nalco plant demanding jobs. Five were released on bail while the remaining ones refused to make bail plea and went to jail.
The fast in jail has put both Nalco and state authorities in a piquant situation. Meanwhile, Rajya sabha member Mr Rudra Narayan Pany visited Nalco oustees in jail today. He also held talks with the Nalco senior officials on the issue.