No info from Posco on 'disinterest' in Odisha project: Govt

Government has not received any communication from South Korean steel giant Posco on "disinterest" in pursuing the 12 million tonne per annum plant in Odisha, Parliament was informed today.
"Government has not received any communication from Posco in this regard," Minister of State for Steel Vishnu Deo Sai said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha on whether the firm has shown disinterest in pursuing its steel plant in Odisha.
However, Posco informed the National Green Tribunal last month that its steel project in Odisha "cannot proceed" any further at this stage due to regulatory hurdles.
The steel maker told the green panel that it was yet to receive land and forest clearance required for setting up the 12 MTPA plant.

The company also submitted that it has not been able to obtain forest and other clearances while its environmental clearance is valid until July 2017.
Posco's proposed USD 12 billion project at Jagatsinghpur district in Odisha is viewed as the largest FDI in India.
It had entered into a pact with Odisha government in June 2005 for the plant, which included iron ore mine development.
It has been stalled however for about a decade due to regulatory issues, including delay in land acquisition.