Villagers back Mittal project

By Akshaya Kumar Sahoo

Bhubaneswar

Aug. 7: Even as the Posco finds it hard to convince the local people in Paradip to vacate their lands for its 12-million tonne steel project, ArcelorMittal on Thursday successfully concluded its first gram sabha meetings with a unanimous signing of resolutions by the residents of Bhrungarajposi and Raikela villages in Orissa’s Keonjhar district.

In the resolutions, the villagers gave their nod for establishment of the 12-million integrated steel plant in their area.

Amidst the presence of district authorities, the villagers expressed their willingness to move ahead with the process while bringing to the forefront some concerns and the need for more information. While the gram sabha at Bhrungarajposi was undisrupted and peaceful, some protests were held in the vicinity.

In the second gram sabha conducted in Raikala, the villagers raised several questions, submitted a charter of demands and sought more clarification before signing the gram sabha resolution.

"We thank the people of Bhrungarajposi and Raikala villages for their support. We have noted their concerns and would make all efforts to address the same to the best of our ability," said Vijay Bhatnagar, CEO - ArcelorMittal India.

ArcelorMittal has announced two steel projects to be established in the two states of Jharkhand and Orissa, with a total investment of around Rs 84,000 crore, which will include iron ore mines, power plants and steel plants of 12 million tonnes per annum capacity each.