ArcelorMittal talks to locals for land buy
ArcelorMittal on Wednesday successfully made the first move of entering into a dialogue with the villagers of Khunti and Gumla districts, on the issue of land acquisition for their proposed greenfield steel plant.
By Navtan Kumar, ET Bureau |
KOLKATA: In a significant development, steel giant ArcelorMittal on Wednesday successfully made the first move of entering into a dialogue with the villagers of Khunti and Gumla districts, on the issue of land acquisition for their proposed greenfield steel plant.
Company officials interacted with the villagers, numbering about 500, at the residence of Congress MP from Khunti, Sushila Kerketta, and explained to them about the project and their policy of rehabilitation.
The villagers heard the officials and also put forth their queries. The meeting, according to sources, was held in a cordial atmosphere.
The steel major, notably, has chosen the Gumla-Khunti stretch for setting up its 12 MT greenfield steel plant in the area, with an estimated investment of Rs 40,000 crore. In August, a team of top company officials had to return empty-
handed from Gumla as the local villagers refused to speak to them at all on the issue of land acquisition.
Encouraged by Wednesday's development, company officials are now planning to organise a similar meeting later most likely in the presence of senior officials from New Delhi.
Although those opposed to the project tried to put hurdles to prevent the villagers and company officials from attending the meeting, more than 500 villagers managed to sneaked into Khunti to attend the proceedings at Ms Kerketta's residence.
The police had made elaborate arrangements to avoid any clash between the two groups.
Company officials interacted with the villagers, numbering about 500, at the residence of Congress MP from Khunti, Sushila Kerketta, and explained to them about the project and their policy of rehabilitation.
The villagers heard the officials and also put forth their queries. The meeting, according to sources, was held in a cordial atmosphere.
The steel major, notably, has chosen the Gumla-Khunti stretch for setting up its 12 MT greenfield steel plant in the area, with an estimated investment of Rs 40,000 crore. In August, a team of top company officials had to return empty-
handed from Gumla as the local villagers refused to speak to them at all on the issue of land acquisition.
Encouraged by Wednesday's development, company officials are now planning to organise a similar meeting later most likely in the presence of senior officials from New Delhi.
ADVERTISEMENT
"It was good development as we were able to make the first move towards land acquisition. We hope that we will be able to convince the villagers so that negotiations and other formalities could begin at the earliest," company sources said.Although those opposed to the project tried to put hurdles to prevent the villagers and company officials from attending the meeting, more than 500 villagers managed to sneaked into Khunti to attend the proceedings at Ms Kerketta's residence.
The police had made elaborate arrangements to avoid any clash between the two groups.
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
