The Orissa government said that it has begun the land acquisition process for the proposed POSCO steel project in Jagatsinghpur district near here amidst tight security.

Mr Saroj K Choudhury additional district magistrate of Paradip said that "We have begun acquiring government land in possession of individuals in Gada Kujang Panchayat area after proper verification.”

He said two persons, Mr Rohit Behera and Mr Basant Behera of Bhuyanpal village, were among first to receive cheques for INR 115,000 each for their land of over ten decimal area used for cultivation of betel vine. He added that the work is progressing smoothly without trouble.

The ADM said that over 80 personnel from the Jagatsinghpur district administration and Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation were engaged for the land verification work conducted with the help of Global Positioning System.

Officials said that around 200 armed policemen were deployed in the area during land verification and acquisition work undertaken by the two teams.

The process started despite reservation by the central committee of union ministries of forest and environment and tribal affairs which termed the land acquisition without implementation the Forest Land Rights Act as illegal.

(Sourced from ET)