Bhubaneswar, Nov 4: Odisha Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain has taken a dig at the former BJD government over their remarks on ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) company's stand on projects in Odisha.

Reacting to BJD leader Pratap Jena's remarks of "AM/NS is shifting from Odisha to Andhra Pradesh, Sampad Chandra Swain slammed the BJD saying that not only AM/NS is not shifting its company, but many companies are coming to Odisha.

Responding strongly to Pratap Jena's remarks, Sampad Chandra Swain has said that AM/NS will not leave the state.

"The AM/NS company will not leave Odisha. The former government wasn't active in these matters," said the Industries Minister. 

"The companies, who had shifted their base from Odisha during the previous government, are now returning here to invest in various projects," he added.

Sampad Chandra Swain has slammed the BJD saying the opposition is "misleading the people of Odisha". "They are giving such remarks to keep the identity of the party intact," he said further.

"AM/NS is one of the leading companies in India. How can Pratap Jena give such statements," stated the Industries Minister.

"Nippon Steel had a company in Hazira, Gujarat during their government. Why didn't he say back then that the company shifted its base and left Odisha," fired back Sampad Chandra Swain, who is also in charge of Skill Development & Technical Education department. 

The Industries Minister said that the companies who left Odisha, while BJD was in power, are now returning one after the other. "Earlier, they were misleading the people saying JSW EV is shifting base, but later the truth came out and they had to keep silence in this matter," stated Sampad Chandra Swain.

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