Rourkela, Oct. 30: Public hearing for environment clearance for the Rourkela Steel Plant's (RSP) expansion projects was abandoned here today after opposition from stakeholders.

The event was abandoned after the participants said the meeting was "sponsored" and had inadequate local representation.

The State Pollution Control Board office here had organised the meeting with nearly 3,000 people in attendance at the Fertiliser Township stadium. and alleged that the organisers had invited a lot of people who would not bear the brunt of the project<>.

"We want the RSP to undertake corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. The companies involved in the project should provide employment to qualified and experienced local residents as well," said Ramesh Toppo.

"Pollution will affect local residents the most but the board has invited representatives from far-flung areas who hardly have any connection with the project, " Ray told The Telegraph.

He said: "Why has the RSP stopped its CSR projects in the plant's vicinity?"

He alleged that the pollution control board had not advertised the meeting properly. However, the board's local officer Mukesh Mahaling said: "It's a baseless allegation. We have done everything according to the rules. The advertisement is decided by our head office in Bhubaneswar."

RSP official P.K. Pradhan said: "We are undertaking expansion in four of our plants. We are hopeful that a new date will be announced shortly for environmental clearance."