Orissa asks Posco to focus on welfare of locals

Orissa overnment today asked Posco-India to focus on welfare of people who would be displaced by the company's Rs 52,000 crore steel project, which is facing resistance from locals.

The government's views were conveyed by state Steel and Mines Minister Raghunath Mohanty to the South Korean company at a meeting to review the progress in the implementation of the project here.

"Speak to the people who will be directly affected by the project and do not entertain those in adjoining areas," Mohanty said.

He said the company must set up an industrial training institute at the proposed site of the project near Paradip to impart training to the local youths.

The government also warned the company that talks with "outsiders" could further delay the project which was already running behind schedule.

The company was scheduled to go for first phase of production in 2010.

Asking the company to expedite its activities, the government also suggested Posco-India that it could start work outside the "disturbed patch" in Dhinkia village, considered as epicentre of anti-Posco movement.

"How affected people will trust you if you do not take up any public welfare activities?" Mohanty asked Posco-India representatives Y K Kim and Saroj Mohapatra who attended the review meeting.