Jindal Steel and Power limited ( JSPl) on Saturday successfully conducted the public hearing for its proposed six million tonnes per annum ( MTPA) greenfield steel plant project at Asanboni in Potka block of East Singhbhum, about 23 kms away from Jamshedpur.
The public hearing began sharp at 11 am at the Panchayat Bhawan ground in Asanboni. People of eight villages, who will have to part with their land for the steel plant started assembling at the venue since morning. The public hearing witnessed a turnout of over 300 villagers. Though police had to resort to a mild lathicharge for controlling a group of villagers, the proceedings of the public hearing began on positive note.
The public hearing conducted by the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board ( JSPCB) continued for about one hour (till 12.05 noon) during which the authorities recorded statements of 27 villagers. Additional deputy commissioner of East Singhbhum, Ganesh Kumar presided over the public hearing. Regional officer of JSPCB R N Choudhary , senior officials of JSPl including Naresh Kumar, vice-president, Asanboni project was also present.
The villagers also advocated training for the educated unemployed youths of Asanboni panchayat so that they can get employment in the new steel plant project. Regional officer of JSPCB, R N Choudhary said public hearing went off smoothly, “The proceedings of the public hearing will be sent to the Union Government for an environment clearance,” he said. He said that earlier the public hearing was scheduled to take place on January 29 this year but had to be postponed due to some unavoidable circumstances.
JSPl vice-president Naresh Kumar said that of the required 1,417 acres, JSPl so far acquired 285 acres of land for the Greenfield project which will entail an investment of around Rs 22,000 crore. The company plans to commission the greenfield project by 2019. The project will generate direct employment of 6,000 . It will also provide contractual employment to 7,500 workers .
He gave the detailed briefing about the project and its environment management system. He also told about the various CSR activities being conducted by Jindal. Officials of the company gave the answers of the questions raised by the villagers. They said that Jindal Steel is committed to improve the environmental condition in the surrounding areas. They also gave assurances that in future all sorts of efforts would be taken to fulfill the aspirations of the people of the surrounding villages.