Bhubaneswar, March 18 (IANS) South Korean steel major POSCO, which proposes to set up a $12 billion steel plant in Orissa, has sought the state government’s help in acquiring land for its proposed project.
A POSCO delegation met officials Thursday to help it in acquiring 4,004 acres of land after villagers rejected a rehabilitation package announced by the company.

“They have sought our help to chalk out a rehabilitation package for the displaced after discussing with the locals. They want the discussion be conducted with the help of the state government,” said Priyabrata Pattnaik, chairman of state-owned Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Orissa after the meeting.

The steel major has announced a compensation of Rs.7,000 per acre for the loss of land meant for betel vines, Rs.1 lakh per acre for prawn farms and Rs.75,000 per acre for cultivable land. But the package failed to enthuse the locals.

The project has been delayed for over two years due to various reasons, including problem over land acquisition.

Thousands of people have been protesting the project, saying it will displace them and ruin their betel-leaf farms.

Posco and the government maintain the project will bring revenue and employment to the state.