Realising that POSCO project cannot be implemented without support of the affected people, both the Center and Orissa Government today decided to hold the Rehabilitation Periphery Development Advisory (RPDAC) meeting to win over the agitating people.
?The Revenue Divisional Commission (RDC), central division, has been asked to hold RPDAC meeting in November, Orissa Steel and Mines Secretary, Ashok Dalwai said after attending a review meeting on the POSCO project.
Though the Rs 51,000 crore POSCO signed an MoU with the state government in 2005 targeting to start first phase production by 2010, the company has not been unable to acquire an inch of land so far for opposition by the local people.
?We hope the RPDAC meeting will help in resolving the land acquisation problem?, Joint Secretary of Union steel ministry U P Singh told reporters adding that the Centre would review ArcelorMittal and other mega projects in later stage.
Stating that the Posco-India had already informed the state government that it would not hesitate to go beyond the government?s rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) policy, Dalwai said that RPDAC would suggest a better package to meet aspiration of the affected people.
CPI-backed POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) has been campaigning against the project as local farmers are unwilling to give their land for the purpose.