Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s proposed visit to Orissa next week, Centre has sought a status report of the Posco project facing stiff opposition from the local people. "We have received a letter from the deputy secretary, Ministry of Steel yesterday seeking a status report of the Posco project. We submitted it today," an official said.
The state government in its report had claimed that 2,000 acres of land had so far been acquired, sources said adding that of the total 3719 acre of land required for setting up the 12mtpa greenfield steel plant, only 10 per cent of land belonged to private persons.
The remaining land belonged to the state government under illegal possession of some villagers, it said. The state government also said about 720 families were likely to be displaced for the project, but a handsome rehabilitation package had been made for them. However, the state government informed that the company was yet to get the raw material linkage due to a court case over the prospecting license (PL) for Khandadhar iron ore reserve in Sundergarh district.
PTI