Facing heat from the Centre over mining projects in his State, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is expected to raise concerns over recommendations of a government panel on the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday.
Mr. Patnaik said he would apprise Dr. Singh on the adverse effects the recommendations would have on investments in the State.
“I shall be meeting the Prime Minister and take up matters regarding the Polavaram issue and also about Posco and put forward the State's demands regarding these two matters,” he said.
The Centre's clearance to Polavaram dam project in Andhra Pradesh, while the Saxena panel's adverse remarks on Posco and Vedanta projects has irked the administration in Bhubaneshwar.
Asked whether there will be any discussion regarding the Saxena Committee reports, Mr. Patnaik said: “Our Forest and Environment Secretary has already sent the State government's response to the Ministry of Forest and Environment.”
Set up by the Environment Ministry early this year, the committee, also accused Vedanta of illegally occupying forest land for its $1.7 billion project.
