Tata Steel calls for social infrastructure development in Maoist infested areas

KOLKATA - Expressing concern over the increasing Maoist activities, Hemant M Nerurkar, Managing Director of the Indian steel giant, Tata Steel, said that social infrastructure and allied development in Maoists infested areas of tribal and backward regions are needed to tackle the rebels.

Addressing the annual press conference of the organisation here on Monday, Nerurkar underlined the need to step up social infrastructure development in Maoists hit tribal belts which would help regain their confidence.

He also said that the company would help further intensify the development projects in these areas and remove the resentment of certain tribals who are objecting to the setting up of Tata Steel’s projects in the coastal state of Orissa.

“The government also wants to correct some of the things, basically education, food, shelter, clothing, support for the people. The way Tata Steel wants to address these issues is to work with the community around us . We have been doing that for more than 100 years; we need to intensify those efforts even more,” he added.

He further noted that due to little progress in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, the issues of land acquisition and related rehabilitation and resettlement (RR) packages, the company has not included the two States in its area of expansion for now.

“Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have not been included in the list right now because there is little progress there. If you see, the RR (Rehabilitation and Resettlement) policy and land acquisition are still there. Once it is complete, then only we will start the project. We are not dropping it,” Nerurkar said.

Seventy-six Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed by the Maoists in an ambush in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada District on Tuesday, which is considered to be the most brutal attack ever by the rebels. (ANI)