The situation does not warrant the South Korean steelmaker to relocate from Halligudi in Gadag district to anywhere rlse in the state. "The government is trying to convince the farmers; the company stays in Gadag. We hope that everything will go well,” he told STOI after his meeting with former prime minister H D Deve Gowda.
The CM’s statement comes following reports that Posco, in the wake of the farmers’ protests in Gadag, is looking at alternative sites to set up its 6-million-tonne-per-annum (MTPA) steel plant in Bagalkot or Bijapur district. The government is exploring the possibility of excluding the objecting villages from the Posco project and allotting adjoining land.
While an official in the industries department dealing with the project said Posco prefers setting up a unit in Gadag, large and medium industries minister Murgesh R Nirani said the CM’s decision will be final.
The official said a change of location would be tough; there would be too many formalities. Investments over Rs 50 crore are cleared by the State High-Level Clearance Committee headed by the chief minister. The committee has to approve even minor amendments if a company wants to change its name, address and location.