After facing the ire of the Opposition on many occasions over the controversial Vedanta University Project (VUP), the Orissa government has finally clarified that the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), which would develop the project, is a public limited company.
The state government also refuted the allegation of the Opposition about the irregularities in allotment of land for the project and asserted that the land acquisition for the project has been done in a legitimate manner.
“AAF has been a public limited company since November 26, 2006 and the land acquisition done for the proposed university project has been in accordance with the rule of law. Moreover, the reserves of rare earth minerals found in the land being acquired for the project are not sufficient to set up any industrial unit”, Parliamentary Affairs minister Raghunath Mohanty said in the state assembly on Saturday on behalf of the minister for higher education Debi Prasad Mishra.
The state's government's response came at a time when the Opposition MLAs created a ruckus in the assembly, raising questions over the status of AAF and alleging irregularities in acquisition of land for the university project.
Earlier, the Opposition MLAs led by the Congress chief whip Prasad Harichandan cornered the ruling party during discussion on an adjournment motion on the issue.
“The state government's love for VUP has made it completely blind. Though the Vedanta University Bill has been passed, it is yet to get the assent of the Orissa Governor. In its blind love for VUP, the state government has violated the Companies Act, Jagannath Temple Act and the Land Acquisition Act”, said Harichandan.
“It remains to be known whether AAF is still a private limited company or if it has been converted into a public limited firm. Moreover, if the foundation does not set up the university, then the combined liabilities of the four directors of the board comes to only Rs 20,000,” he added.