Steel giant not pulling out of Orissa: CM

Amidst uncertainty over the proposed steel project by Arcelor Mittal, the State Government today maintained that the there is no possibility of the steel giant pulling out from Orissa.

With Arcelor Mittal scouting for land and other facilities to set up plant in Karnataka, an impression has gained ground that the company will close shop in the State. Chairman of the company LN Mittal also gave broad hints about such a possibility yesterday.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today told mediapersons today that proposed 12 million tonne mega steel project will not exit from the State. Mittal had yesterday expressed displeasure over the inordinate delay in starting of the projects in India, mainly because of land acquisition problems. The State Government has not received any negative message from Mittal about the project, Naveen said, adding that the project will not quit Orissa.

Arcelor Mittal Indian Limited had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the State Government on December 22, 2022 for setting up a 12 million tonne green field steel project at an estimated investment of Rs 40,000 crore. But not an inch of land has been acquired for the project.

Steel and Mines Minister Raghunath Mohanty also ruled out the possibility of Arcelor Mittal leaving Orissa. Stating that there is no delay in the project, Mohanty said that things are progressing satisfactorily. The State Government is providing all support to see that the project is established in Orissa, he said.

The Minister said that the country head of Arcelor Mittal Sanak Mishra met him here on January 3 and assured that the project will be established at the original site under Patna tehsil in Keonjhar district. Mohanty said that the process of land acquisition has already started and 4(1) notification has been issued for 7753 acres.

He said that out of the 15 villages to be affected by the project, gramsabhas have been completed in seven. Out of this 6(1) notification has been issued for one village. Notifications will be issued for the rest of the villages soon, he said, adding that 7(1) notification, after which compensation will be disbursed, will be issued in the near future.