Posco talks inconclusive; next round on June 5

The much-awaited discussion between Posco Pratirodha Sangram Samiti, the organization spearheading anti-Posco agitation and Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Central Range, of the Orissa government to resolve the tangle surrounding the South Korean company’s mega steel project in the state remained inconclusive on Saturday.

Both parties, however, agreed to sit on June 5 to carry forward the discussion.

In yesterday’s meeting, both sides put forth their respective positions on the project. PPSS reiterated its demand for shifting the Posco project to another place, withdrawal of police cases against anti-Posco activists and stoppage of the ongoing socio-economic survey of the project till the end of discussion with RDC.

The PPSS leaders said, out of the 4,004 acres of land required for the 12 million tonne plant, 2,900 acres are categorised as forestland. Thousands of people are engaged in cultivation of betel vine, cashew and other crops and prawn farming on this land for decades.

They claimed that the people have got their land documents from the authorities in 1947 when this area was part of the Bardhaman estate and was not declared as reserve forest land.

They further argued that the villagers of this area should be considered as forest dwellers as per the Forest Land Right Act and hence, the forest and environment clearance given to the Posco project should be cancelled.

On the other hand, the administration urged the PPSS activists to lift barricade from Dhinkia and Gobindpur for free entry of officials to normalize the situation as well as to carry on various development activities.

It further assured that suitable compensation would be given to the people who are occupying the forest land and a proper package would be worked out to ensure rehabilitation, jobs and other facilities to the affected villagers.