The Orissa government, under his stewardship, has signed as many as 49 MoUs with an estimated investment of Rs 6 lakh crore for setting up industrial units in the last ten years. But when it comes to highlighting it as an achievement, Biju Janta Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik is giving it a skip in his election speeches this time around.
Perhaps, lessons from the violent protests against land acquisitions across this mineral-rich state that has kept most of the proposed industrial plants non-starters prevented this political veteran to do so. There is anger against the state government?s handling, or rather mishandling, of land acquisitions. Perhaps, Patnaik who is at the helm of affairs in the state for a decade does not want to take a chance as any vote-swing against his party would be fatal, especially when he has just snapped an 11-year-old alliance with the BJP prior to the elections.
The Orissa government has signed MoUs with virtually every key players in the mining industry such as Tata Steel, South Korean steel giant Posco, Jindals, Arcelor Mittal and Vedanta for setting up mega green-field projects. According to estimates, the state government needs more than 20,000 acre for these projects. However, only about 3,000 acre have so far been acquired by the state government.
While the BJD manifesto is silent on how much fresh investment for industrial projects have had come in the last 10 years, it has mention of only 28 companies that have started production and have employed 47,181 workers. Interestingly, the BJD manifesto does keep space for ?effective & adequate? steps taken for proper ?rehabilitation of displaced people? and ?environmental protection?. The party has also aimed at generating employment for 15 lakh people in the industrial sector through micro, small, cottage and handloom industries.
In his election rallies, Patnaik has been highlighting how Orissa has been ?neglected? by the national parties and it is now time to ?fight unitedly for our rights?. Even on Saturday, while speaking at a rally in Kalinga Nagar, where 12 tribal people were shot dead allegedly by the police for protesting against proposed Tata Steel plant three years back, the chief minister did not even mention about the tribal anger against the proposed project.
Instead, he has been harping on his government?s achievement of providing 25 kg rice every month at Rs 2 per kg to each Below the Poverty Line families.
The main opposition Congress, in its manifesto, has categorically stated that it will review all MoUs signed by the current state government in the last 10 years.
While the party is mum on industrial policy, it has stated that henceforth mining lease would be given to any private party but to stated-owned Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) or any government corporation to explore and market minerals.
Ironically, the CPI(M), a vocal critique of Naveen Patnaik?s industrial policy, has been fighting elections along with BJD but has a manifesto similar to the Congress on mining. CPI(M) has also stated that it would only allow OMC to have access to mining. BJP, on its part, has promised development of village industries and employment of people of Orissa in all the industrial projects. Orissa goes for the second and the last phase of poll to both 77 assemblies and 11 Lok Sabha seats belonging mostly to coastal belt on April 23. The first phase of elections to 70 assembly and 10 Lok Sabha seats were held on April 16.