New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday asked South
Korean steel maker Posco's Indian arm to apply afresh for
permission to set up a 12 mtpa plant in Orissa that has been
held up for four years over land acquisition.
Posco India Pvt Ltd had been given extension twice since
October 2006, when it received in-principle approval (without
the required land) for the 12 million-tonnes project with
Special Economic Zone status. The company signed an agreement
with Orissa in 2005.
It has, however, not been able to acquire land due to
fierce opposition from locals, who from time to time have
abducted Posco officials.
Posco India had approached the BoA for third extension of
time from the Board of Approval (BoA) for implementing its Rs
54,000 crore SEZ project, as it could not get land due to
protests by tribals.
"They have to a file the Form A (fresh application) and
recommendations of the state government...," an official said.
Posco India, the wholly-owned subsidiary of world's
fourth largest steel maker, has conveyed to the Commerce
Ministry that it is "committed to the project" despite the
problems of land acquisition.
Bulk of the about 4,000 acres falls under the forest land
for which the company received clearance from the Green Bench
of the Supreme Court last year.
Keen on fast clearance of the project, the Steel Ministry
has also written to the Orissa government to help Posco
resolve the land issue.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 18:15