Giving a patient hearing to woes of tribals in Jharsuguda, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday asserted that people affected by the Posco steel project must get justice, proper compensation and rehabilitation.

He said development is essential but it has to be ensured that people affected in this process must be adequately taken care of.

“If Posco provides proper rehabilitation to the affected people then we will be with Posco. If it fails to do so, we will be with the agitating people fighting for justice,” Gandhi said during an interaction with tribals at a youth conference in Jharsuguda.

Jharsuguda is about 400 km from Bhubaneswar.

South Korean steel major Posco’s USD 12 billion steel project in Orissa, billed as country’s largest FDI, was given conditional clearance by the Environment ministry in May after adopting a tough stand.

“Congress is with the people to provide them justice. Development is essential, but the project affected people should be provided proper compensation and rehabilitation,” Gandhi, who has also backed tribals of Niyamgiri in Orissa who had opposed Vedanta’s mining project, said.

He had earlier visited Niyamgiri hills in Kalahandi district where tribals have been agitating against bauxite mining there.

Gandhi asked tribal youths not to tolerate injustice and come forward to lead their own community with the Youth Congress providing a platform for them.

“Leadership is lacking among adivasi youths. Do not tolerate injustice, come forward to take the leadership for your own community,” Gandhi told in an interaction with youths after arriving Jhasuguda from Kotpad in Koraput district, about 500 km from the Orissa capital.

He said while the Communists opposed development and liberalisation, BJP only thought of development of rich. It was only the Congress which always thought of common people and their interest, he said.