JOIN USAfter stating that South Korean steel major Posco should be “thrown out” of Odisha, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Joel Oram, who is the lone BJP Lok Sabha member from the state, faced severe criticism from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
BJD vice-president and state Excise Minister Damodar Rout said, “The entire state would be benefited by the Posco project and therefore, the proposed steel plant (in the Jagatsinghpur district) should not be opposed by anybody.”
The BJP state unit has also been opposing the proposed plant. While talking to the media on Sunday, Oram had said: “I would like to suggest that the state government throw Posco out of Odisha, as people are opposing its steel project.”
In light of the statement, Rout, a senior leader from the Jagatsinghpur district, sought to advise the two newly-appointed union ministers from the state. “Both the union ministers (including Oram) should give priority to the interests of the state and go beyond their partys’ interest.”
Oram, along with the BJP state unit, has been strongly criticising the Odisha government for recommending that the Centre grant iron ore mines in Khandadhar hills to Posco for captive use.
Asserting that such a move would displace tribal people in the region, Oram said, “I have not changed my stand and still oppose any kind of mining activity in Khandadhar hills because of environmental reasons.”