44 MoUs signed for steel plants in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Nov 27 (UNI) The Orissa government has so far signed 44 MoUs with various companies during the last three years for setting up of steel plants, Steel and Mines Minister Padmanav Behera informed the Assembly today.

Replying to a question of Jayaram Pangi(BJD), the minister, however, said the government had cancelled five MoUs as the companies could not make satisfactory progress as per conditions laid down.

Of the remaining 39 companies, Mr Behera said 23 had completed their projects partially, while 20 had started partial production.

He said while the process for acquisition of land was on by 14 companies,two had not yet identified the location for land acquisition.

Mr Behera said mining lease would be given to the companies after they fulfilled all the conditions stipulated in the MoUs and the guidelines framed by the government.

UNI