Anil Agarwal mulls processing plant, varsity in Bihar

Responding to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's call for investment, Vedanta Resources founder Anil Agarwal today said he was planning to start a minerals processing plant and a world-class university at his home state Bihar.
Vedanta will build 4,000 'Nand Ghar' replacing Aganwadis as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, a majority of which would be in Bihar, he said.
Agarwal, who was here to participate in the 90th anniversary celebrations of Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said the proposed processing plant in Bihar for minerals like zinc, silver and copper would be built at a cost of Rs 50 crore to Rs 500 crore.

He welcomed Nitish Kumar government's Industrial Promotion Policy, 2016 and said that the existing law and order situation is not a deterrent for investing in the state.
"By further tightening law and order, such minor irritants could be ended, " Agarwal said.
He, however, underlined the need for providing capital subsidy to further attract investors to Bihar.

Saying that it was his "dream" to set up a world class university in Bihar, he said, "In addition to Vedanta University in Odisha, we can have another similar world-class university akin to Oxford in Bihar."
Referring to the proposed 'Nand Ghar' plan, Agarwal said it will help in improving nutrition and education for children and economically empower the rural women and benefit 30 million children and women.

"We have asked the Union ministry of Women and Child Welfare to identify 4,000 Aganwadis, majority of which should be in Bihar that would be adopted by us under the project," he said.
'Nand Ghar' are quake proof structures constructed in Israeli style that would impart education to children with the help of TVs and internet and also provide packed food to them, he said.
Vice-president Hamid Ansari was the chief guest at the programme, which was attended by Governor Ramnath Kovind, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Prasad Yadav.
Agarwal was born at Goria Toli in Patna and is an alumnus of Miller High School. His group was the first Indian company to be listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2003.

Vedanta's Cairn India produces 30 per cent of total oil in the country while Hindustan Zinc, the world's second largest zinc producer, makes 85 per cent of total zinc.
The group has business presence in four continents -- Australia, Africa, Europe and Asia -- with major businesses operating in India.