Jharkhand minister opposes Mittal project
Nov 22, 2006 - 8:55:47 PM
, Reviewed by: Priya Saxena
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Mittal Steel wanted the Chiria mines but the government expressed its inability to allot them. The government is fighting a legal battle with Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) over the mines.
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By Indo Asian News Service,
[RxPG] Ranchi, Nov 22 (IANS) A Jharkhand minister has come out against a proposed Mittal steel venture in the state, embarrassing the government.
Addressing a rally at Karra block here recently, Human Resources Development (HRD) Minister Bandhu Tirkey said: 'Mittal Steel will not be allowed to set up a plant in the state.'
Karra is one of the three places identified by Mittal Steel to set up the plant.
Tirkey's statement has left the state government embarrassed.
Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of Industries department Sudhir Mahto urged the media not to take Tirkey's remarks seriously.
Mahto said: 'It might be a slip of the tongue.'
But the HRD minister is unrelenting on his attack on the Mittal project.
'We are not concerned about investors like Mittal, Jindal or anyone else. We have to protect the interest of the local people,' he said.
The HRD minister is one of the leaders spearheading the domicile issue movement in the state since 2002. He had supported the demand that locals should be given preferences in government jobs.
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government led by Madhu Koda had earlier announced to review the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the previous Arjun Munda led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government with Mittal Steel.
Considering the attitude of the state government, Mittal Steel preferred to stay away from the weeklong trade fair here which began Nov 15 to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the state.
Steel companies like Tata Steel, Essar and Jindal South West, which have signed MoUs with the state government, have put up their stalls in the trade fair.
Last year, Mittal Steel had signed a MoU with the Jharkhand government to set up a 12-million tonne steel plant with a total investment of Rs.400 billion.
Mittal Steel wanted the Chiria mines but the government expressed its inability to allot them. The government is fighting a legal battle with Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) over the mines.
Mittal Steel is finding it difficult to get both iron ore mines of its choice and land for the project.
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