Date:23/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/23/stories/2008052355521200.htm

National

CPI: why still back POSCO project?

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India has expressed “deep concern” over the Centre’s continuing support for the POSCO project in Orissa, also because at this time the plant is in flagrant violation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

Letter to PM

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, CPI national secretary D. Raja said his party had repeatedly pointed out that the POSCO project was economically disastrous and amounted to gifting away the country’s mineral resources.

Despite these concerns, both the Central and Orissa governments continued their backing for the project.

‘Criminal offence’

Handing over 3,000 acres of forest land for POSCO’s steel plant would deprive a large number of villages of their rights under the Act.

Indeed, it would be a criminal offence, he said, appealing to the Ministry of Forests and Environment to withdraw any clearance for diversion of forest land given to the company.

This was because such diversion could not take place without violating the Act.