From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Channarayapatna (Hassan), Feb 2: Union Heavy Industry and Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy has alleged that the Karnataka Congress government is plotting to shut down the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) plant in Mangaluru due to political vendetta against him.
Speaking to media personnel in Channarayapatna, Hassan district, on Sunday, the JD(S) leader said that since becoming a Union Minister in the Narendra Modi government, he has personally visited all the industries and plants under his ministries.
“My proposals have been well received by Modi, who has always supported Karnataka's development. However, not a single official or leader from the Karnataka government has approached me to discuss the state's needs,” he claimed.
The JD(S) leader said the first official file he signed as a Union Minister was to protect KIOCL and added:"The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had 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."
Accusing the Congress government of orchestrating a conspiracy to shut down KIOCL’s Mangaluru plant, he said:"Due to the state government’s obstruction of the Devadari mining project, hundreds of workers in the Kudremukh plant lost their jobs. Many of them approached me, expressing their distress."
“To prevent the closure of this prestigious plant, the decision has been made to merge Kudremukh Iron Ore Company with the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). While the state government is busy strangling industries due to political rivalry, Modi’s government is working to revive them,” he added.
'HMT revival plan blocked too'
"When I took the initiative to revive HMT, the Congress government once again intervened to obstruct progress. Now, they are using the Forest Department’s land dispute as an excuse," he said.
"The Congress government is not interested in development; all they care about is politics. Instead of ensuring stable livelihoods for people, they are sabotaging long-term progress for short-term electoral gains," he stated angrily.
Kumaraswamy said the state government never approached him for discussions and now they falsely claim that the Budget ignored Karnataka in the Union Budget. “What’s the point in complaining after the Budget is presented? They don’t even have the courage to present proposals before the prime minister. With the strength given to me by the people, I ensured survival of the Vizag Steel Plant. I will never forget the support Modi extended for this effort," Kumaraswamy said.
Revival plan for Bhadravathi Steel Plant
"The same enthusiasm with which I fought for Vizag Steel will be applied to the Bhadravathi Iron & Steel Plant, built by Mysore Maharajas and Sir M Visvesvaraya. This plant was shut down, but I have initiated efforts to revive it," he said.
However, he said he was not sure of the support from the government in Karnataka. “When I recently visited the Bokharo Steel Plant in Jharkhand, I saw that the central government is investing Rs 20,000 crore for its expansion. Leaders in other states, regardless of party affiliation, work together for industrial development. But in Karnataka, when Kumaraswamy fights for state industries, Congress only feels jealous," he remarked.
The JD(S) leader said, "The Congress ruled the country for decades. What did they do for Karnataka? They have no moral right to criticise the Union Budget. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has presented a comprehensive budget aimed at realising the vision of a Viksit Bharat. It prioritises the needs of all states," he said.
"Instead of announcing schemes for specific districts or states, the Budget takes a holistic national approach, ensuring benefits reach every corner of India," he explained.
"Let’s wait until March when the Karnataka presents its Budget. Let’s see how many districts and taluks actually receive funding from them," he challenged.
"I have been following Siddaramaiah’s statements. India got independence in 1947. Until 1983, Congress ruled Karnataka and the country. Yet, they never provided a single rupee for the construction of Harangi, Hemavathi and Kabini reservoirs," Kumaraswamy thundered.
"For 50 years, Congress controlled the nation’s wealth, but these irrigation projects got nothing. When Deve Gowda became prime minister, he implemented the Accelerated Irrigation Scheme, granting Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore for North Karnataka’s irrigation projects. What did Congress give?" he questioned.
"Today, Tamil Nadu gets water from KRS, Harangi, and Kabini reservoirs — built either by Mysore Maharajas or because of Deve Gowda’s struggle. Congress leaders should reflect on their failures before questioning others," he remarked.