Karnataka govt conspiring to shut down Kudremukh Plant: HD Kumaraswamy
Hassan (Karnataka) Feb 2 (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, on Sunday alleged that the Karnataka Congress government is plotting to shut down the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited plant in Mangaluru, despite it employing thousands.
He alleged this was due to a political vendetta against him.
The Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel also stated that the first official file he signed as Union Minister was to protect KIOCL.
Speaking to the media in Channarayapatna, Hassan district, he said, "It has been seven months since I became a Union Minister. I have personally visited all the industries and plants under my ministries. My proposals were well received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has always supported Karnataka's development. However, not even a single official or leader from the Karnataka government has approached me to discuss the state’s needs."
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According to him, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government approved the Devadari mining project in Sandur in 2011.
"To ensure its execution, I recommended financial assistance from the Finance Ministry. However, Congress leaders twisted this and deliberately obstructed my efforts out of sheer political enmity," he said.
Kumaraswamy added that due to the state government’s obstruction of the Devadari mining project, hundreds of workers at the Kudremukh plant lost their jobs.
"To prevent the closure of this prestigious plant, a decision has been made to merge KIOCL with the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). While the state government is busy strangling industries out of political rivalry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is working to revive them," he added.
Kumaraswamy also accused the state government of blocking his efforts to revive Hindustan Machine Tools Limited (HMT).
"They are using the Forest Department’s land dispute as an excuse," the minister added.
Kumaraswamy further said he is working to revive the Bhadravathi Iron & Steel Plant, built by the Mysore Maharajas and Sir M Visvesvaraya, which was shut down.
"However, I am unsure how much support I will receive from the Congress government in Karnataka," he added.
Additionally, Kumaraswamy stated that the central government is committed to supporting Karnataka’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry.
"Karnataka is already a hub for the software industry, and I am working to ensure that AI also receives the necessary push in the state. I will be discussing this with the relevant ministers at the Centre to facilitate the required investments and policies," he added.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
