Kalinga Nagar local representatives back Tata Steel project

In a move that could have a positive impact on the beleaguered six million tonne integrated steel projects of Tata Steel at Kalinganagr, about 28 peoples’ representatives, consisting of local sarpanches and panchayat samiti members, today urged the Visthapan Virodhi Jan Manch (VVJM), spearheading the agitation against the project, to resolve the problems through talks with the district administration in a peaceful manner.

In a letter handed over to VVJM president Chakradhar Haibru, thsse representatives stated that the all-round development of the Kalinganagar area could be possible with the setting up of this important project if the issues are resolved through mutual discussion.

The people’s representatives belonging to Sukinda and Dangadi block pointed out that the emerging steel hub of the country at Kalinga Nagar has been embroiled in violence of late due to discontent over the setting up of Tata Steel project.

Taking advantage of the situation, unscrupulous elements are planning to create more trouble in the area. Since agriculture alone can’t solve the livelihood problems of the rising population, the area also need industries, they argued.

Though the absence of a planned rehabilitation and resettlement system was responsible for the earlier problems in 2005 and 2006, a visit to the village Trijanga, Sanasailo and Gobarghati, the rehabilitation colonies set up by Tata Steel, disproves the apprehensions in this regard. The standard of living of the people in these rehabilitation colonies have improved, the asserted. In this backdrop, they offered to mediate between the government and the office bearers of the VVJM for a peaceful settlement of the problems.