Business Standard reported that the Odisha government is scheduled to hold talks with the officials of union ministry of steel on December 14th on various issues concerning hurdles in implementation of steel projects in the state
A host of issues ranging from clearance for mines and allotment of new mines to acquisition of land for proposed steel projects are pending with the state government.
The issues which may come up for discussion include
Steel Authority of India Limited
SAIL is awaiting Stage-II forest clearance for its Bolani iron ore mines in Odisha's Keonjhar district. This mine produces 13,000 tonnes of iron ore per day. SAIL has complied with all the conditions for grant of Stage-II forest clearance and submitted compliance report to the divisional forest officer Keonjhar on May 24th 2012. The detailed compliance on conditions could not be processed as yet for want of site specific conservation plan which is pending with the principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden in view of non finalization of the Karo-Karampada elephant corridor reportedly passing through the mining lease area. SAIL has requested the state forest department to recommend its Stage-II forest clearance proposal to the union ministry of environment & forests.
POSCO India has sought early resumption of land acquisition activity for its 12 million tonne per annum Greenfield steel plant proposed near Paradeep. Land acquisition for the mega project has been stalled since June 2011 despite continuous discussions and strong support of the Odisha government. Moreover, MoU signed with POSCO India has expired in June 2010 and the revised pact is pending for government approval.
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited
RINL has evinced interest to set up a steel mill, beneficiation and pelletization plants in Odisha at a total investment of INR 2,000 crore to INR 2,500 crore on allotment of iron ore mines. The state government had recently denied allotment of iron ore mines in favour of RINL, stating that a decision has been taken to reserve all the balance mineral bearing areas in favor of its own PSU Odisha Mining Corporation.