- (1.) Leave granted.
(2.) With the intention of setting up an integrated steel plant in the State of Orissa, Bhushan Limited, entered into discussions with the State Government in 2001 in thatregard. Pursuant to such discussions, Bhushan Limited applied to the Industrial Development Corporation of India (IDCO) for acquisition of land measuring 1250 acres, for setting up the proposed plant in the identified villages of Thelkoloi, Dhubenchhabrar and Khariapalli (Lapanga) in the District of Sambalpur. On 13 th November, 2001, Bhushan Limited applied to the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Orissa Ltd. (IPICOL) for appraisal and recommendation for acquisition of land for the aforesaid purpose to IDCO. Bhushan Limited also addressed two letters to the Collector, Sundergarh and Collector, Keonjhar on 28 th November, 2001, applying for grant of lease for mining of iron ore for use in the proposed plant. The applications were received in the Collector's office on 3 rd December, 2001, 4 th December, 2001 and 1 st March, 2002. On the basis of such applications filed by Bhushan Limited, a meeting was held on 27 th March, 2002, between the Chief Secretary, Government of Orissa and Bhushan Limited, in which theGovernment agreed to accord due priority to Bhushan Limited for grant of suitable iron ore areas and also agreed to recommend the proposal of Bhushan Limited to the Government of India for grant of a Coal Block.
(3.) Thereafter, meetings were held between Bhushan Limited and the representatives of the State Government and one such meeting was held on 24 th April, 2002, under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister, relating to the setting up of the steel plant at Lapanga. The said meeting was confirmed by IDCO and the Water Resources Department and it was decided to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be signed by the parties for setting up of a 1.2 million tonnes steel plant under Phase-I and a 2.8 million tonnes steel plant in Phase-II in Lapanga, in the District of Sambalpur. The MOU contained the commitment of the State Government to recommend to the Central Government grant of iron ore mines to the Appellant for its use in the plant to be set up at Lapanga. As far as the grant of the iron ore mines isconcerned, the State Government agreed to make the following recommendations to the Central Government: a) For grant of 96 million tonnes iron ore reserves in Joda Barbil Sector of Keonjhar (Thakurani area) for 50 years requirement of the plant. b) For additional 128 million tonnes of iron ore reserves in Keora, District Sundergarh, to meet a requirement of 1.6 million tonnes for 50 years. The total requirement of 200 million tonnes was split up into two parts, i.e., 96 million tonnes and 128 million tonnes respectively, and the same were to be met from the Thakurani mines situated in the Joda Barbil sector and from the Keora area of Sundergarh District.;