Suspension of green nod to Posco a conspiracy

Terming the suspension of environmental clearance to Posco's proposed mega steel plant as a "conspiracy", ruling BJD MLAs today asked the Orissa government to clear doubts over the fate of the Rs 52,000 crore project.

The issue was raised in the assmbly during the zero hour when members of the treasury bench along with NCP expressed concern over the fate of the proposed mega steel plant near Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district.

"Suspension of environmental clerance to Posco's steel project is a conspiracy against the state," former minister and Paradip MLA Damodar Rout said.

Demanding a statement from Steel and Mines and Industries minister Raghunath Mohanty on the Posco project, Rout claimed there was no forest in the proposed plant site area as mentioned in the revenue record.

The state government had also announced not to acquire private land in Dhinkia village due to opposition from villagers.

Another senior member from Jagatsinghpur district, Bishnu Das alleged that the Centre was maintaining double standard on Posco issue.

While the Prime Minister had assured South Korean President about establishment of the project, its environmental clearance had been suspended, he said.

Das's colleague, Ananta Das said the National Green Tribunal's order was not binding on the state government.

NCP legislature party leader Amar Satpathy said as the state government had been acquiring land for the steel plant near Paradip, it should make its stand clear on the country's biggest FDI.

Satpathy urged Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat to give a ruling on the Posco issue.

Chief Secretary B K Patnaik, meanwhile, told reporters that the state government was yet to get a copy of the NGT's order on the Posco project.