Opposition alleges violation in Vedant deal

Bhubaneswar, Aug 4 (UNI) The Opposition in Orissa Assembly today alleged that a favour has been shown to Vedant Alumimum Limited (VAL) for establishing Alumina plant at Lanjigarh by the Naveen Patnaik government.

State Steel and Mines Minister Padmanav Behera, however, countered the allegation saying the government has signed the agreement with the VAL keeping the interest of the state.

The witnessed a noisy scene for sometime when the Opposition members alleged that VAL Chairman Anil Agarwal had given 2.6 million dollar as political donation and wanted to know the name of the beneficiaries.

The house was debating the admissibility of an adjournment motion on forest and environment violation in setting up of VAL's proposed Alumina plant at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district.

Congress member L B Mohapatra and Orissa Gana Parishad mla Arun Dey said the Central Empower Committee (CEC) constituted by the Supreme Court had in its report confirmed the Opposition allegation of violation of forest laws by the VAL and accused Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of showing undue favour to Mr Agarwal.

Mr Patnaik challenged the OGP member when the latter described him as ''fraud and broker'' and alleged that the Anil Agarwal company was surviving on political patronage.

The Steel and Mines Minister refused to comment on the CEC findings stating that the matter was sub-judice and asked the Opposition to wait for the verdict of the Apex court.

Leader of Opposition J B Pattnaik, however, demanded that the Chief Minister should step down as the CEC had clearly stated that a favour had been shown to the VAL by the Orissa government.

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