Even as the Chief Minister reiterated the Government's stand to shift the proposed POSCO project from Gadag, Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani still seemed optimistic that the project could come up in Gadag district.
On Saturday, when Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa visited Mahatma Gandhi Park to inspect the progress of development work, he categorically stated, in reply to a query, that the issue had been sorted out.
Industries would be set up only if farmers came forward to give their land, he added.
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In the afternoon, some farmers, led by Somashekharappa Chennalli, came to the venue of the BJP State executive committee meet and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, requesting that the project be implemented. However, Mr. Yeddyurappa did not give them any assurance in this regard.
Meanwhile, Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani told presspersons that he would again try to convince Tontada Siddhalinga Swami about the need for setting up the steel plant in the region.
The number of farmers willing to give up their land for the steel plant was increasing, he said. However, if the swami was firm on his decision, then he would stand by the Chief Minister's decision to stop the acquisition process, Mr. Nirani added.
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