Out of the 13 units, most dealing in sponge iron, cement and rolling mill sectors, (Seraikela-Kharsawan) Sini-based AMN Power & Steel Limited has made the maximum investment of Rs 325 crore, while another unit, Kohinoor Steel, based in the same district, has made an investment of Rs 200 crore.

 

Adhunik Alloy & Power Limited in Kandra in the same district has also made an investment of approximately Rs 250 crore, said deputy director of the department B.M.L. Das.

 

These facts contradicted a recent report of fresh investment of Rs 880 crore that was submitted by industry department to the Centre. The report was in response to a question raised by an Independent MP, Parimal Nathwani, in the Rajya Sabha. Nathwani sought to know if Naxalite activities were a hurdle in the way of state's industrial development.

 

Das conceded that their earlier assessment of the total investment was erroneous and based on old data. "That was the reason why we decided to review the development of industries that are still in production phase. Moreover, we wanted to know the problems faced by them and work out a solution," Das added.

 

Representatives of units complained about lack of land and problems over iron ore rights among others.

 

Authorities promised help and in turn asked them to expedite Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities to win the confidence of villagers.

 

The list of units who were reviewed today include Neelachal Iron and Steel (Seraikela), Jharkhand Ispat (Ramgarh), Anadita Traders and Investment Limited (Hazaribagh), Ramgarh Sponge Iron (Ramgarh), Chhinnamastika Cement and Iron (Ramgarh), Chhinnamastika Sponge Iron (Ramgarh), Rungta Mines Limited (Chaibasa), Narsingh Ispat (Seraikela), Ballav Steel (Seraikela) and Balaji Industrial Projects (West Singhbhum).

 

Another review meeting is scheduled for tomorrow in which Patnaik would review the progress of the expansion project of Tata Steel, Jindal Steel & Power Limited, Electro-steel Castings Limited, Horizon Loha, Jupiter Cement and Swati Cement.

 

Ranchi, July 29: Telegraph