Govt cannot wait for passage of bill in Parl: Minister

This was stated by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister S N Patro while responding to a question on opposition BJP`s demand for a halt to land acquisition for Posco`s proposed mega steel plant near Paradip.

BJP leader and former revenue minister B B Harichandan had demanded a halt to land acquisition at Posco`s proposed plant site till passage of the LA bill, scheduled to be tabled in the coming session of Parliament.

Stating that the project affected people would get maximum benefit after passage of the new LA Act, Harichandan said the state government must stop in the interest of the people.

Patro, however, said he had been hearing about LA Act for last four years. "Is there any guarantee that the Bill for the purpose will be passed this time," the minister asked adding developmental activities cannot be stopped.

He, however, said the state government would certainly ensure that the affected people get maximum benefit after the LA Act come into force.

Meanwhile, a report from Paradip said Jagatsinghpur district administration along with officials of Industrial Development and Infrastructure Corporation (IDCO) continued tree felling at the proposed Posco project area near Paradip today.