The West Bengal Government today said it would vest 270 acres acquired by Sajjan Jindal-promoted JSW Bengal for its integrated steel project in the State.

JSW bought 294 acres in Salboni directly from owners, but it was not in keeping with the laws of West Bengal Reforms Act, 1955, for 270 acres, the Land and Land Reforms Secretary, Mr L.N. Meena, said at the State Secretariat after meeting with JSW Bengal officials.

He said under Section 14Y, no one can buy more than 24 acres under a single owner and so the Government had decided to vest 270 acres, which would be redistributed among the original owners.

Mr Meena said the JSW Bengal Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr Biswadip Gupta, had requested 49 acres for railway connectivity.

“We have asked them to apply and then State would consider the same,” Mr Meena said.

Today’s meeting was part of the follow up meeting of August 5 with state Industry Minister, Mr Partha Chatterjee, on progress of the project in West Midnapore.

JSW Bengal without any deed was holding on to nearly 4,334 acres of vested land, some directly bought and patta land.

The State Government had asked it to complete the lease deed soon sorting out any issues.

JSW Bengal Steel signed an MoU with the West Bengal government in 2007 for an integrated steel plant and power project that could entail an investment up to Rs 35,000 crore in phases.

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