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Vidyarambam Karishyami

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Padma Patram Vishalakshi Vidyam Dehi

Namastute.


Sunday, January 4, 2009

‘Global meltdown won’t hit projects’ - Vedanta Chief Anil Agarwal

PNS | Bhubaneswar , 4th January 2009

The ongoing financial recession in the global market would not affect the projects in Orissa, said Vedanta Chief Anil Agarwal on Saturday. "I am coming to Orissa to reassure Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik that the global meltdown will not hamper the growth of any ongoing project," he said.Talking to reporters after meeting the Chief Minister at the State Secretariat, Agarwal said the company has already earmarked Rs 50,000 crore for the projects in the State, including the aluminium smelter plant at Jharsuguda and alumina plant at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi. "I came here to invite Naveen to inaugurate the smelter plant," he said.He further said the company has so far not made any loss due to the global economic crisis. "We will not divert our resources from the Orissa projects," he said.He also said Vedanta would soon go for mining. However, he did not mention any deadline. On the Vedanta's proposed world-class university project at Puri, he said the company has so far acquired half of the land required for the purpose.

On the issue of sustained opposition to the university project, Agarwal said India is a democratic country and each person has the right to raise his voice. "However, Oisssa has to come up," he said, adding that the company would address the local problems and give the best rehabilitation package. He further announced that a modern hospital with a capacity of 1,000 beds would soon be established at Puri.