BS reported that POSCO war zone - Talks on MoU renewal inconclusive

BS reported that the road to renewal of Memorandum of Understanding with POSCO India seems to be bumpy with the officials of the steel firm and the Orissa government failing to reach a consensus even though the pact lapsed on June 21 last year.

In the latest of their series of interactions with the state government, the POSCO India officials on Wednesday met state chief secretary Mr BK Patnaik and steel & mines secretary, Mr Manoj Ahuja and held discussions on the terms and conditions of the MoU. But the talks remained inconclusive.

Mr Patnaik said that "We had talks with the officials of POCSO India on the renewal of MoU but we are yet to arrive at any settlement. Also, POSCO is yet to submit a written response to the draft MoU sent by the state government for renewal.”

Mr Patnaik had earlier indicated that the process of renewal of MoU with POSCO India was in the final stage.

Despite commitments from top officials, the renewal of MoU with POSCO India has suffered inordinate delay. The state government had earlier indicated the MoU would be renewed by July this year. However, nothing has progressed so far while the project area continues to simmer with periodic protests by the locals. Unable to meet this deadline, the government had shifted the date to July 15 and later to July 31, none of which were met.

(Sourced from BS)

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