Bhubaneswar, Nov 14 (Odisha.in) Congress party has opposed granting POSCO, the Korean Steel major Captive Port and Captive Mines for its proposed mega steel mill near Paradeep in Jagatsinghpur district.
“We are not averse to the POSCO project or the FDI , but would fight against granting of Captive port and Captive Mines in favour of the POSCO India “, said Ajaya Makan , the union Minister and the AICC General Secretary in charge of Orissa Tuesday .
Makan who was here on a two day visit in connection with the extended executive meeting of Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee put pre-conditionality for putting up Industries.
“Congress wanted a complete, ban on export of minerals, according captive mines and captive Port to any industry”, he clarified.
“No industry should be allowed to put up their plants on the fertile, irrigated and agricultural and forest land and no diversion of water meant for farmers to Industries”, he said.
On being asked ,While the Prime Minister himself wanted the POSCO project and Sonia Gandhi has her blessings, is it not a double standard being maintained by Congress, for Orissa Project, Makan said,” this is the stand of Congress for the interest of the country and people “.
Makan said, Orissa government is pursuing reckless industrialization at the cost of environment. “Orissa is in the brink of environmental disaster with dwindling down of forest cover every day “, he warned.
Though Makan disapproved the move of the Orissa government to divert water from Hirakud reservoir meant for farmers to Industries, and announced to start “Naveen hatao, Orissa Bachao” campaign at Sambalpur on the water issue on December 2 next , he said,” the BJD-BJP alliance government should think of supplying surplus water to Industries after meeting the farmers requirements”.
Odisha.in