New Delhi: Orissa government is determined to pursue the $12 billion POSCO steel plant project despite widespread protests by the villagers.
Reiterating his government’s commitment, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday assured that the project will be implemented with "a humane face and in a peaceful way".
"Posco is the biggest FDI project in the country. It will be pursued with a humane face and in a peaceful manner. Our government has worked out the best relief and rehabilitation policy to address the issues of the local people," Patnaik told PTI in New Delhi.
The Korean steel major POSCO plans to start civil construction work for the project this month.
But continuing resistance from residents of Jharsugura district, where the plant is to be built, has cast a shadow over the company's plans.
While the memories of deaths in police firing at Kalinga Nagar during protests against another project have not been completely erased, the recent violence in neighbouring West Bengal's Nandigram and Singur has forced the Orissa government to tread a cautious path over the acquisition of land for the POSCO plant.
Patnaik, who is slated to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday to apprise him about various investment projects in Orissa, said, "Besides POSCO, other major projects including infrastructure will be discussed in the meeting with the PM".
Asked about POSCO's demand for building a separate port to cater to its steel plant instead of using the existing Paradeep port, Patnaik said the firm wanted a port near the land where the project would be set up.
"The government is working towards sorting out this issue," he said.
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