People's Democracy

‘Fight POSCO Deal Unitedly’

Call Of The Seminar Held in Bhubaneswar

PROMINENT geoscientists, mineral experts, eminent economists and leaders of Left parties expressed serious concern over the pro-foreign industry steps being taken by the government of Orissa. They attacked the MoU signed between South Korean Steel giant POSCO and the Orissa government saying it was nothing but an agreement to plunder Orissa’s rich minerals. They warned that such deals will further impoverish Orissa, one of the poorest states of India.

They were speaking at a seminar organised in a jam-packed hall in the heart of capital city, Bhubaneswar recently which was addressed by CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, CPI general secretary A B Bardhan, eminent economist Professor Prabhat Patnaik of JNU, Professor Sanjib Chandra Sarkar of Jadavpur University, former vice-chancellor of Vidya Sagar University Professor Ananda Deb Mukhopadhya and others.

Prakash Karat in his address said the controversy surrounding the POSCO deal was not an issue concerning Orissa alone and it needed to be dealt with a national perspective. Criticising the mineral policy of the central government, he blamed the previous NDA government for putting in place such a policy which enables the exploitation of our mineral resources by foreign companies. He said the CPI(M) is against 100 per cent FDI in exploration and exploitation of various minerals including iron ore. He also criticised the present UPA government for continuing to implement such a policy of the NDA government. Karat linked the POSCO deal to the ongoing liberalisation policy of the central government and called upon the people of Orissa to unitedly fight against the POSCO deal as they had fought to protect NALCO from the clutches of privatisation hordes.

A B Bardhan branded the POSCO deal as one-sided and totally against the interest of the people of the state.

Prabhat Patnaik in his sharp speech wondered why the POSCO deal was not put up for legislative sanction before it was inked. He said issues which involve mineral policy, ethical conflicts and inter-generational questions in terms of plundering exhaustible resources should not be left to bureaucrats. He said while China is stockpiling iron ore and US is fighting to reserve oil for itself, the Orissa government is handing over valuable natural wealth.

Professor Sanjib of Jadavpur University questioned why 30 per cent replacement of local iron ore should be done when it will not improve the quality of steel.

Professor Ananda Deb Mukhopadhya was of the view that the MoU with POSCO was against sustainable development. He criticised the lack of mineral intelligence on the part of National Mineral Development Corporation. He wanted the issue of setting up a port in Paradeep to be properly assessed by experts as it has environment impact also. Professor Basudeb Sahoo also spoke.

The seminar was presided over by Satakadi Hota, editor, Samaya. A group of leading intellectuals convened this seminar which was attended largely by intellectuals, employees, teachers and supporters of almost all political parties.