Vedanta’s Orissa Projects on Schedule, Chairman Says

Vedanta Resources’ all projects in Orissa are on schedule including the refinery project in Lanjigarh, chairman Anil Agarwal said over the weekend. The confirmation came after Agarwal meeting Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of the state, at a crucial time when the company’s projects in Orissa are facing object from local residents against industrialization and criticism from several social groups. “Vedanta has violated law of the land without valid environmental and forest clearances.” Vedanta Alumina, part of the Vedanta Resources (Sterlite) Group, is building an alumina refinery for $800 million in Kalahandi, Orissa, as well as an aluminum smelter for Rs.70 billion in Jharsuguda of the state. Agarwal said Vedanta will follow resettlement and rehabilitation policy of the Orissa government for all their projects, noting Orissa’s is the best in India. COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of WAM News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of WAM.