Posco should clarify stand on Paradip plant: Odisha govt

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 26:

Facing charges that it is not doing enough to prevent Posco from moving out of the state, the Odisha government today said the South Korean steel giant should first make it clear whether it is still keen to set up its steel plant at Paradip or not.

“Under the provisions of the new law, it’s Posco which has to clarify on what conditions it will set up its industry here and whether it will participate in the e-auction or not. It should make its stand clear and have discussions with the Odisha government,” said Odisha Steel & Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick here today.

The minister said the Odisha government is ready to do its bit to ensure that Posco is not starved of raw material as it has done in the case of others.

“Wherever raw materials are not available, we have made alternative arrangements through long-term linkage for supply of raw materials through OMC. If Posco wants, we will do that for them too. We are providing raw materials to end-user industries from the 50% of the produce that we are getting from non-captive mines and ores mined by the OMC. That we can provide to Posco proportionately if it so desires,” Mallick told the media.

It may be noted that Union Mines secretary AK Pujari had made it clear yesterday that Posco has to take part in the auction process to avail iron ore mines under the provisions of the new MMDR Act.