VIJAYAWADA: TDP MP and former union minister YS Chowdary has found fault with Union Minister for Steel Chaudhary Birender Singh for once again seeking details of iron ore reserves regarding the proposed Kadapa steel plant.
A couple of days ago, Singh asked (Metallurgical & Engineering Consultants Limited) MECON to submit its technical report on the proposed steel plant in Kadapa, one of the provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act. The Union minister had also directed MECON to ask the AP government to furnish all mining leases and availability of iron ore at the earliest so as to enable the Task Force to evaluate the technical report of the project and its feasibility.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday, the TDP MP said the NDA government was intentionally dragging the issue. “A week ago, our delegation met the minister and submitted a memorandum urging the Centre to expedite the process of setting up the steel plant. At that time, we have clearly explained that the details of the iron ore availability were already furnished to MECON. It was not the first time, those details were submitted,” YS Chowdary said.
The details of iron ore availability were given to MECON seven times till date, he added.
Pointing out at the time frame of two months given to the Task Force on the Kadapa Steel Plant, the TDP MP said even one-month extension was given, but there has been no progress even after two-and-half years.
“It clearly shows, the issue was being intentionally dragged by the NDA government, more so after the TDP came out of the alliance with BJP,” he alleged.He said there are 270 million tonnes of iron ore reserves available to support the steel plant, which only requires around 160 million tonnes for the next 30 years.