Orissa to seek public opinion for Posco project

Orissa government today decided to seek public opinion on Posco-India’s proposed mega steel plant after failing to implement South Korean steel major’s Rs 51,000 crore project near Paradip due to local opposition, official sources said.

The decision to seek public opinion in next two months was taken at a review meeting by Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) here. Though the steel major signed an MoU with the state government on June 22, 2005, it failed to acquire an inch of land for the purpose due to opposition from local people. As the state government was pursuing a policy to undertake peaceful industrialisation, the CMO asked the DGP and the IG, CR to prepare a strategy to implement the project without much violence.

The CMO also asked the revenue administration to initiate dialogue with the local people before beginning land acquisition process for the purpose, official sources said.