With the last of the betel vine out of the 27 gone and land acquired for the Posco steel project, focus now shifts to the next stage and a fresh MoU with the South Korean major.
The Jagastsinghpur district administration has officialy announced completion of the land acquisition process in the face of stiff resistance by the locals even till the last day when women were willing to go to any extent to drive away the police force and officials.
The land acquisition was completed in Gobindpur village amidst strong resistance from the anti-Posco brigade. Overall it took five phases. Jagatsinghpur district collector Satya Mallick told this paper that the administration has acquired 700 acres from Gobindpur village.
Meanwhile, the Government has started work for renewal of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Posco.
Official sources said that the law department has made some recommendations on the MoU with Posco-India which are being examined.
The fresh MoU will be sent for the Chief Minister’s approval soon.
The State Government’s MoU with Posco-India lapsed three years ago.
The Government and the South Korean steel major had signed MoU for setting up a 12mtpa steel mill near Paradip in Jagatsinghpur at an investment of Rs 52,000 crore on June 22, 2005.
The MoU was valid for five years.