Events seem to be moving in the right direction for ArcelorMittal’s project in Karnataka. The state government, which had promised speedy clearances late last year for the company, the world’s largest steel maker, has finalised the compensation and rehabilitation package for those whose land will be taken over.
This follows the state’s recommendation on June 15 to the Centre for prior approval for grant of an iron ore mining lease to ArcelorMittal. The land prices have been finalised close to a month after the first dialogue with farmers, a top bureaucrat said.
The B S Yeddyurappa government has prepared a compensation package of Rs 8-16 lakh per acre. ArcelorMittal has asked for 4,500 acres at Kuditini in Bellary district to set up their 6-million tonne per annum unit, at an intended investment of Rs 30,000 crore.
“The state government has finalised the rehabilitation package for the land losers in Kuditini. The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has already released Rs 50 crore to the district administration to acquire land. The acquisition process will start in a few days,” V P Baligar, principal secretary, commerce and industries, told Business Standard.
He said by and large, the land losers had accepted the package. In addition to cash compensation, the government would give five per cent reservation in admissions to children of the land losers in ITI (Industrial Training Institute) and GTTC (Govt Toolroom and Training Centre) diploma courses. The eligible candidates will also be given jobs once the steel plant comes up, he said.
Baligar said ArcelorMittal has also come forward to set up an ITI in Bellary district exclusively for the children of land losers. The company has already deposited an initial amount of Rs 270 crore with KIADB for the acquisition. The government has recommended grant of 211.25 hectares of mining area in the Donimalai range of Sandur taluk. The project has also got forest clearance and water allocation has been made from the Tungabhadra dam.
Apart from ArcelorMittal, the state government has also recommended to the Centre for prior approval in grant of mining lease to some other steel companies, which had signed agreements during the Global Investors’ Meet on June 3 and 4. The state has identified 79.3 hectares of mining area for Bhushan Steel Ltd and 16.2 hectares for Kalyani Steel Ltd in the Donimalai range.
