POSCO to formulate lucrative RR package for displaced people

Bhubaneswar,Dec 05(UNI) POSCO-India is contemplating to formulate a Resettlement and Rehabilitation(R&R) package for the people likely to be displaced and affected in the proposed 12 million tonne steel plant in Orissa.

A POSCO release quoting its Chairman cum Managing Director Soung Sik Cho said the company has studied the new Orissa R&R Policy 2006, the draft National Rehabilitation Policy 2006, National Advisory Council's draft National Development, Displacement and Rehabilitation Policy 2005 and other best R R policies available in India to make the package more acceptable.

As per the new Orissa RR policy 2006 rehabilitation benefits included cash assistance ranging from Rs 1,00,000 to 5,00,000, assistance of Rs 50,000 for self-relocation, house building assistance of Rs 1,50,000 and maintenance allowance of Rs 2,000 per month in the first year.

Mr Cho said the POSCO-India would sincerely relocate all the displaced in a Resettlement Habitat to be constructed with modern amenities by the company.

Even though the government land is non-agricultural, the Orissa government and POSCO-India would collaborate in devising favourable support measures for the affected fishermen and farmers who unauthorisedly grew betel vines and cashew-nut tree upon the government land.

The POSCO-India CMD said the company would provide one job to each displaced family in addition to the R&R benefits adding that seven acres of land at Sandhakuda in Paradip had already been acquired for construction of a Training Center, which would enhance employment of local people.

Mr Cho further said since the genuine interests and concerns of all the displaced and affected families, the prime stakeholders in the project, are our top most priorities, the company is committed to making a positive change in the quality of life of the people.

'' We would put our focus on complete implementation of R&R package and will see to it that the package, without getting adulterated and diminished on the way, benefit the displaced and affected people who have to forego their land for the project,'' Mr Cho remarked.

South Korea steel major POSCO has been facing stiff resistance from the local people likely to be displaced since it signed a MoU with the Orissa government in June 2005 for setting up of a mega steel project with an investment of nearly Rs 52,000 crores, the largest FDI in the country.

UNI DP KK AKP1732