14 industrial projects in Orissa delayed on land problems

A high level review meeting said that Mr Naveen Patnaik government’s failure to help companies take possession of land has delayed implementation of 14 mega industrial projects. The meeting was attended by top representatives from POSCO India, TATA Steel, ArcelorMittal India Ltd, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd, SSL Energy Ltd, Uttam Galva Steels Ltd, Essar Steel Orissa Ltd, Bhusan Power & Steel Ltd, Aditya Aluminium Ltd, Welspun Power & Steel Ltd, Vedanta Aluminium Ltd, Jindal India Thermal Power Ltd and Bhushan Steel Ltd. The meeting was chaired by Mr Raghunath Mohanty state industries minister. It was said at the meeting that the 14 projects had proposed investments of INR 200,000 crore but have invested INR 21,031 crore only. Though 45,607 acres were required for the projects, the state government had allotted them 14,131 acres till date. Most companies have not been able to take possession of land for their respective projects primarily due to opposition from people living in the area who face displacement. The other issues that were discussed at the meeting were availability of water, supply of power and rehabilitation and resettlement. The minister asked senior Government officials to resolve the problems facing the industries and also advised the companies to expedite land acquisition. Senior executives of several companies had to face questions from the Industries Minister about delay in the implementation of their projects. (Sourced from Business Line)