Centre blames AP on data on ore presence

Amaravati: Even as Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was coming hard on the Centre for lack of political will in establishing a steel plant in Kadapa on Thursday, the Centre kicked the ball into AP's court, contending that it could not move forward as the state had not furnished information on availability of mines and iron ore to MECON, a steel consulting company, to finalise its feasibility report for the establishment of the facility.

Disputing the state's claim that the Steel Ministry had no interest in setting up the plant, the Centre said that on the contrary it was waiting for the feasibility report from MECON, a steel consulting company, so that it could go ahead with the establishment of the project.

The Centre recalled statement of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in its feasibility report that the project was not feasible. The SAIL was asked to do feasibility study in accordance with the commitment made to AP under AP State Reorganisation Act.

In spite of SAIL's verdict against setting up of the steel plant, the Steel Ministry appointed a high-level task force which has been holding meetings periodically. The last meeting of the task force was held on December 17, it said. The Centre said it was unfortunate that the State government has not yet given required information for the proposed steel plant.

Though the task force met seven times, the State government had not apprised it of the situation on the ground with regard to the type of mines, quantity and quality of iron ore reserves available for the plant.

The Centre said that if the state furnishes the needed information, MECON would finalise the feasibility report within the shortest time. Once this is done, then the modalities of investment will be finalised keeping the best interest of people of the State in mind, the Centre said.