KIOCL Mangaluru Plant Faces Threat of Shutdown Due to Political Rivalry, Claims HD Kumaraswamy

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has made serious allegations, claiming that the Karnataka Congress government is plotting to shut down the prestigious Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) plant in Mangaluru due to political differences with him, according to reports. Kumaraswamy, while speaking to the media in Channarayapatna, Hassan district, accused the state government of orchestrating a conspiracy to close the plant, which has provided employment to many.

"I have been a Union Minister for seven months. I have visited all the factories and companies under my two departments. My requests have been supported by Prime Minister Modi with a big heart. However, no one from the state has come to discuss matters with me," said Kumaraswamy, expressing his frustration.

He went on to say that the first decision he made as a minister was to save KIOCL. Kumaraswamy recalled his recommendation to the Finance Ministry for financial support to implement the Sandur Devadari mining project, which had been approved by the previous Siddaramaiah government in 2011. However, Congress leaders allegedly twisted the matter, obstructing his good efforts and sabotaging the project due to political rivalry.

Kumaraswamy directly accused the state Congress government of doing everything possible to shut down the KIOCL Mangaluru plant, and he expressed his sorrow over the job losses faced by hundreds of workers in the plant. He stated that these workers approached him with their grievances, blaming the state's political interference for their plight.

To save the Kudremukh plant, the decision to merge it with the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) was made with the intention of preserving the factory's future. Kumaraswamy pointed out that while the state government attempted to choke industries due to political reasons, the Modi government was working to give them a new lease of life.

"In my efforts to revive HMT, the state Congress government has been creating obstacles. The Forest Department has started issues over land. They don't want development, only politics. Their aim isn't to improve lives but to destroy permanent development for the sake of election politics," Kumaraswamy expressed with anger.

Kumaraswamy also questioned the state's decision to neglect discussions on the budget and avoid constructive proposals. "Without bringing proposals to the table and speaking before the Prime Minister, how can anyone expect to make a difference? It was because of the power the people of Karnataka gave me that I was able to save the Vizag Steel Plant. I will never forget the cooperation from PM Modi in this regard," said the Union Minister.

He also mentioned the support he received when he visited KIOCL, where a 14-kilometer procession was organised from the airport to the plant by the local people. "The love and trust shown by them will always remain in my heart, and it was with their support that all this was possible," Kumaraswamy added.

Reflecting on past events, Kumaraswamy pointed out that industries such as the steel and iron plants in Bhadravathi, established by Maharaja of Mysore and Sir M. Visvesvaraya, had also been closed down. He is now working to revive them, but he expressed uncertainty about the level of support he will receive from the Congress government in this endeavor.