The State Government has been urged to help the National Aluminum Company limited (Nalco) implement its Rs 5,000-crore expansion programme.
The Nalco is undertaking expansion of its alumina refinery with addition of 1.0 million tonne per annum (MTPA) with an investment of over Rs 5,000 crore.
The State Government would have to issue necessary instructions to the Koraput district administration to sort out the issues, said sources in the Department of Steel & Mines.
Sources said the Navratna PSU is facing resistance from local villagers in general and those of Amba Gaon in particular. While he Nalco is expanding its capacity within its acquired land but outside the existing boundary, villagers are resisting the move, resulting in a stalemate condition.
Union Ministry of Mines Secretary Anil G Mukim has recently requested the State Government to help the Nalco in easing the stalemate. Sources said Mukim feels that the delay in execution of the new project would lead to its cost escalation. Necessary instructions are needed for the district administration to resolve the issue, said the sources.
Besides, the Ministry of Mines has also approached the State Government to sort out the issues for operating of the Utkal-D Coal Block in Chhendipada in Angul district by the Nalco. This coal block had been allocated to the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and the was de-allocated by the Union Ministry of Coal on the basis of recommendations made by the Inter Ministerial Group (IMG).
And the Utkal-D Block was allocated to the Nalco along with the Utkal-E to meet the company’s captive requirement.
While the Utkal-D Coal Block has been allocated to the Nalco, the earlier allottee OMC is needed to hand over DGPS Survey, TOPO Sheet for submission to the Ministry of Environment & Forest and Climate Change for processing Stage-I Forest Clearance of the coal block.
Even though the land has been vested in the Nalco, a mutation process for the purpose is yet to be completed. In this case, the OMC and the district administration of Angul would have to take necessary steps in sorting out the issues.
The Union Government has requested the State Government to help out the Nalco in both the cases, said sources.