FYI. Kundan
*SC gives respite to Posco, Vedanta; Opp contemplating tough resistance* *Pioneer News Service, Bhubaneswar* http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=BHUBANESWAR&file_name=bhub3%2Etxt&counter_img=3 Even though Posco and Vedanta Alumina have got the much-required respite in the wake of the Supreme Court's verdict in favour of clearances of forest and mining, respectively, the hurdles for them are not over, as local people, backed by an Opposition group, are contemplating to put tough resistance to the two upcoming projects. Posco-India chief Soung-Sik Cho reportedly discussed the law and order problem with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday, though he was tight lipped about what transpired between him and Patnaik. Earlier, frequent incidents of violence in and around new project areas impeded the ongoing industrialisation process in the State. "The situation has changed. We are committed to going ahead in ushering in an industrialisation climate in the State," said Industries Minister Biswabhusan Harichandan. But Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) convener Abhay Sahu and Green Kalahandi convener Bhakta Charan Das seem to be determined to oppose the projects in their respective areas as they have threatened to launch mass agitations. This has added to the State Government's anxiety. The PPSS has already acquired the forestland and distributed it among its members. Villagers opposing the project have encroached upon as much as 1,200 acres of land meant for the project. "We have distributed the forest land among villagers before the Government could acquire it and hand it over to Posco," PPSS chairman Abhay Sahu said, adding that the villagers have been asked to protect their portions of the forest land and ensure that none could take them. "We will take utmost care so that no untoward incidents will occur giving rise to law and order problem," said a senior police official, adding that the Government does not want to take any risk during this election year. Even Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy had earlier admitted that law and order problem is a major threat to the industrialisation process. What has come as a major headache for the Government is that none of the nine-mega projects has come up even after three and a half years of the signing of the MoUs. The MoUs for the major industries were signed way back in 2004 and 2005. Representatives of about 47 major industrial houses have, meanwhile, met the Government on this issue. For instance, although Posco signed the MoU on June 22, 2005, but the land acquisition process has yet to kick off. Similarly, Vedanta Alumina's refinery plant at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district depends on bauxite from the Niyamgiri hills, but Bhakta Das is now planning to start a mass movement to oppose extraction of bauxite from Niyamgiri on grounds of environmental protection. Tata Steel is yet to make a major breakthrough for its six-million-tonne project at Kalinga Nagar, with the law and order problem still turning out to be a major issue. Similarly, Tata's proposed thermal power project with an investment of Rs 6,000 crore at Naraj is also facing the trouble because of the law and order problem. ** * **Greenfield projects bonanza for bureaucrats* Pioneer News Service, Bhubnaeswar The mega greenfield projects have come as a bonanza for many bureaucrats in the State. Quite a few major steel, aluminum and power projects are coming up in many districts. For want of the much-needed support from the State Secretariat, the hapless industrial houses are totally dependent on the district officials for pushing their projects. Beginning from acquisition of land, water supply, power connection and fighting local resistance, the project authorities are at the mercy of the district-level officials beginning from Tehsildars up to Collectors and SPs to sub-inspectors of Police. The most sensitive issue is rehabilitation and resettlement of the oustees, for which a Rehabilitation and Periphery Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) has been constituted for each project with the Collector as its convener. The RPDAC also oversees employment to the displaced persons and local people. Such *sweeping powers are allegedly abused for the benefit of the powerful satraps.* Industrial houses have started squirming under pressure to appoint kith and kin of these controlling officials. In a sense, they also feel happy to oblige the officials as they can violate the R&R policy of the Government and appoint outsiders as quid pro quo. *The authorities of a major project have appointed the daughter of a Collector in a lucrative post.* This project is facing criticism for appointing people from outside the State in place of local displaced tribals. *Son of another Collector has also been obliged with a cushy job by the management of the project.* No wonder, the tribals are angry over the issue. Retired IAS and IPS officers are also much-sought after persons for the projects. *After his superannuation, a DGP has been appointed as the security advisor to a major group with a fat salary.* Similarly, a *former Chief Secretary has also been taken in as the principal advisor to a number of greenfield projects.*Retired IAS officers are needed for liaison jobs with departmental Secretaries and district Collectors.
