Locals to get priority in jobs

BERHAMPUR: Notwithstanding the Congress leaders demand for cancellation of the public hearing on the Tata Steel projects, it was conducted peacefully at Chhatrapur on Tuesday.Addressing the local representatives and the displaced people, Tata Steel General Manager AK Ojha said locals would get priority in jobs. The public hearing was necessitated following the company’s proposal to open three plants -- high carbon ferrochrome, Rebar mill and desalination plant -- over the 450 acres of the land acquired during the 90s for setting up amega steel plant in Chhatrapur in Ganjam district.Earlier, foundation stone for an Industrial Park was laid by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in August last year.Tata Steel had applied for Environmental Clearance for the three plants but before giving a go ahead, the State Pollution Control Board had called a public hearing.Ojha said in the first phase, the three units would employ 450 persons and later, the displaced families would be appointed for construction works. Ojha also promised to sort out problems of the oustees who were rehabilitated in the rehabilitation colony at Sitalapalli.