Ballari: Even as the state government is mulling steel giant, ArcelorMittal’s request to permit it to set up a solar power plant in place of a steel plant on the land given to it in the district, demand is growing to promote a ‘Steel Park’in the area instead.
Permitting ArcellorMittal to set up a solar power plant in the heart of the iron ore mine fields does not serve the purpose of generating employment in backward Hyderabad-Karnataka. Instead the government should set up a steel park here and provide all incentives to help secondary steel makers,” says Ballari-Hosapete-Sandur Mine Owners Association secretary, Hothur Mohammed Iqbal. Going by official sources, the industries department is also not in favour of permitting the steel giant to change its plans as it believes allowing it would contravene the terms of the MoU signed between ArcellorMittal and the state government during the Global Investors Meet-2010. With the state government facing a similar situation with Brahmani Steel Karnataka Pvt Ltd as well, the local mine owners believe the time has come to set up a steel park in the district. Promoted by former minister, Gali Janardhan Reddy, the company was acquired by Uttam Galva, but is now reportedly having second thoughts about starting a steel plant in Ballari.
“The prime land allotted for ArcellorMittal and Brahmini Steel together constitutes about 6,000 acres and is ideal for a steel park,” contends Mr Mohammed Iqbal, adding that a delegation of miners and secondary steel makers will soon approach CM Siddaramaiah with the request for establishing the park in the district.
