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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | CM takes a U-turn on POSCO plant

CM takes a U-turn on POSCO plant

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published Published on Jul 16, 2011   modified Modified on Jul 16, 2011
-DNA
 
The drama surrounding the proposed Posco steel plant in Halligudi, Gadag district, took another twist on Thursday when representatives of farmers, under the banner ‘Raitha Hitharakshana Samiti’, handed over letters signed by 375 farmers stating that they were ready to part with their land for the plant.

Somashekarappa Eerappa Channalli, who spearheaded the group, said the protests against the plant were politically motivated. “The reality is that many farmers are eager to part with the land as it would create job opportunities. Setting up a mega industry would come as a boon for us,” said Eerappa.

After meeting with the farmers, CM Yeddyurappa seems to have had a change of heart. The CM, who on Wednesday said that Posco would be shifted out of Gadag, said that if all farmers part with their land voluntarily, the government would reconsider its decision.

Just 24 hours after stating that no land in Gadag district would be given to the over Rs30,000-crore steel plant proposed by South Korean major Posco, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa made a U-turn on Thursday and claimed that if farmers and seers from the region were willing, the Posco plant would become a reality.

At his home-office, Krishna, Yeddyurappa said that if farmers in the notified area voluntarily parted with their land, and if the seers gave their nod too, the land would be granted to the South Korean steel major.

Earlier, he had reiterated a statement he made on Wednesday, to the effect that even if the farmers of Gadag voluntarily gave up their land, the state government would not allow Posco to be set up.

On Thursday afternoon, nearly 70 farmers from Halligudi, Jantli and Shirur villages of Mundaragi taluk in Gadag district, all areas earmarked for the proposed plant, descended on ‘Krishna’. The farmer representatives claimed to be part of the Raitha Hitharakshana Samiti (farmers’ welfare committee ).

They handed over letters signed by 375 farmers, who together own 2,500 acres, inviting the government to acquire their land for the steel plant.

The proposed steel plant requires 3,382 acres of land. Somashekarappa Eerappa Channalli, the head of the group of farmers who met the chief minister on Thursday, said protests against the plant are politically motivated. In reality, many of the farmers are keen to have a major steel plant in the area, as it would create job opportunities for their children.

“The focus has been on one side of the problem. You want your own kids to become doctors and engineers. But you would deny us that dream. Gadag has no large industries. Our children are forced to move out for employment. Setting up a mega industry would be a blessing,” Channalli said.

Questioned about the allegation that fertile land was being taken for the plant, the farmers said, “We incur losses every year. The land gives us little yield, and we get no market support. Even for admission to an industrial training course for our children, we have to shell out at least Rs50,000. No seer from any math would give us money for that,” said Yallappa Shivappa Ramenahalli, another farmer.

Did the farmers have concerns for the environment, if the steel plant were allowed to come up? The technology these days is so advanced, there should be no worries on that score, the farmers contended.

“We’ve placed around 13 conditions before the chief minister, and among them isconcern for the environment, along with issues relating to fair compensation,” said Dhoolappa Palledha, a farmer.

The minister for large and medium industries, Murugesh Nirani, said the Congress workers in the state ought to be aware that their leader Rahul Gandhi had been quoted by the media as sayinghe favoured the setting up of the Posco plants in the country.


DNA, 15 July, 2011, http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_cm-takes-a-u-turn-on-posco-plant_1565918


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