Posco land acquisition stalled over appointment of contractor

Land acquisition for Posco's mega steel plant in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district has been put off again after the president of the pro-project group resigned on Monday over the appointment of a project contractor.

Anadi Rout, president of the pro-project Joint Action Committee (JAC), is reported to have resigned following differences among leaders of the group over the appointment of contractors for construction of boundary wall for the project.

Land acquisition for the project, which remained stalled for months over issues relating to environment and compensation, was to start on 17 June after the pro-project group gained mass support.

Leaders allege that a relative of the JAC president has been instrumental in bringing an outsider as contractor for construction of the boundary wall on his behalf.

This makes the pro-project movement look like a sponsored body of Korean steel major Posco and local government authorities to influence decision at the village level.

Meanwhile, officials of the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IIDCO) of Orissa and contractors visited Polanga and Noliasahi villages under Gadakujanga panchayat last night for laying the foundation for the boundary wall.