'K'taka HC judgement on Kudremukh holds out hope'

Mangalore, Jan 8 (UNI) For the about 1,560 regular and 800 other labourers of Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL), whose future was doomed after mining activities in Kudremukh came to a halt in 2006 following a Supreme Court order, the landmark judgement by the Karnataka High Court directing the State Government to allot 1,573 hectares on mining lease to KIOCL in Ramanadurga range in Bellary district has come as a ray of hope.

Briefing a news conference here today, Kudremukh Shram Shakthi Sanghatan (KSSS) General Secretary S Venkatraya said the High Court had passed the judgement on a writ perrition filed by the KSSS when the management of the company chose not to challenge the then Congress Government order, dereserving the iron ore deposit to ''favour a few private mine owners''.

He said that though the KIOCL had applied for mine allotment as early as 2000, no decision had been taken by the Government which in the meanwhile dereseved the deposit.

Expressing surprise over the ''failure'' of the KIOCL management to challenge the ''injustice'' done by the Karnataka Government, Mr Venkatraya said the company Chairman had, however, assured to relocate all employees as it was investing in various projects in Orissa, Bellary and Mangalore.

He said the Union would soon submit a detailed memorandum to the President, Prime Minister, Governor, Chief Minister and the Ministries of Steel, Environment and Forests, and Mines to expedite implementation of the court order by alloting 1573 hectares of mining area so that the compay could divert its workforce, plant and equipment to Ramanadurga from Kudremukh.

UNI