Jasai Mardi, Secretary of the Adivasi Mahasabha, whose members are holding indefinite dharna before the office of the East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner, alleged that the company had acquired around 450 acre in Potka, which came under schedule area and violated the Chotanagapur Tenancy Act.
Executive Director of the plant, A K Saxena told PTI over 3,000 villagers took part in the public hearing, while there were 300 protestors, who were all outsiders.
Stating that the plant required 2,000 acre, Saxena said, "We have plans to set up a three million tone steel plant and 300 MW captive power plant at an investment of about Rs 22,000 crore."
Of the investment, Rs 1,000 crore was meant for pollution control, he said.
Dalbhum sub-divisional officer Subodh Kumar said the public hearing was by and large peaceful.
