By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 9, 2016 : Around 35 steel making companies have began production in their projects in Odisha, according to steel and mines minister Prafulla Mallick.

Replying to a written question, Mallick on Friday informed the Assembly that out of 49 companies which have signed memorandums of understanding with the state government, 35 have started production.

The minister said that ArcelorMittal and Maharashtra Seamless Ltd have cancelled their projects.

One of the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) is Posoco is mired in controversy for the last nearly 11 years.

On Posco project – the minister said, it has also not made any progress in setting up its $12-billion steel plant, even though the state government has allocated 1,880 acres of land in Jagatsinghpur district of the state.

In reply to a separate question, the minister said the government has seen media reports that Posco has temporarily put the project on hold.