Karnataka's industries department has called a meeting on August 23 to discuss issues related to land allotment to Posco's proposed steel mill in the state.
According to the Karnataka Industries Minister, Mr Murgesh Nirani, the department officials will meet to take stock of the recent development revolving around Posco in Gadag district and find alternate land in any one of the north Karnataka districts.
“This time around, the state government is to consult and take into confidence the local community, mutts and farmers,” said Mr Nirani.
After the Halligudi fiasco, the state government has been busy preparing ‘plan B'.
Mr Nirani last month had said ‘Plan B' is to accommodate Posco steel plant in the neighbouring Bagalkot district, for which the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has already identified land in the district.
The state government, in July, had to cancel land allotment to Posco in Halligudi in Mundargi taluk in Gadag district after farmers, led by seers of Gadag district, Sri Annadanishwara Swamiji of Mundargi and Sri Tontada Siddhalinga Swamiji of Gadag resorted to agitation.
Majority of farmers in Jantli-Shirur, Halligudi and Mevundi opposed the land acquisition. A total of 5,685.27 acres proposed to be acquired was to benefit three companies, including Posco, which had plans to set up a Rs 32,366-crore steel project.