BJP to oppose captive port and iron ore swapping for Posco

"In order to safeguard the interest of the state, the government must hold consultations with opposition parties and take their views on Posco project before signing the fresh MoU," senior BJP leader and former state minister Biswabhushan Harichandan told reporters here.

It would be unwise to sign the new MoU without thoroughly examining the whole issue taking into consideration the experience since June 22, 2005, when state government had concluded the MoU with Posco-India for setting up the proposed Rs 52,000 crore mega steel project in Jagatsinghpur district.

The need for a fresh MoU arose as the one signed in 2005 lapsed on June 21, 2010.

Slamming the state government for continuing land acquisition for the Posco project after the MoU lapsed, Harichandan said it is inappropriate and illegal to acquire land for the proposed plant before signing fresh MoU.

Various clauses to be included in the MoU have to be carefully examined, the BJP leader said asking the state government to explain the logic behind having a captive port near the Posco project and allowing swapping of 30 per cent of iron ore.