Congress hindering KIOCL operations: Kumaraswamy

Union Minister for Heavy Industries, Steel and Public Enterprises HD Kumaraswamy alleged that the ruling Congress in the state was obstructing the functioning of Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL). He made the comments to mediapersons during his visit to Shivamogga on Thursday.

He was in the city to attend a programme at NU Hospital, which was celebrating its first anniversary of the inauguration of its kidney donor and transplant programme. Kumaraswamy also addressed a press conference at the Shivamogga Press Club later on. “It was the previous Siddaramaiah government that gave permission to Deodari Mining Project near Ballari (city).

I have only sent the financial guarantee file pertaining to Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited to the Finance Department. The Congress government is falsely publicizing that Kumaraswamy has given the (relevant) permission,” Kumaraswamy said. “If you have animosity toward me, express it some other place and don’t obstruct the operations of KIOCL.

Why are you getting workers to protest on the streets?” he asked.
The Union Minister also came down heavily against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for co-opting freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna who, like the CM, belongs to the Kuruba caste, to convey the message that the Opposition was hatching a conspiracy to topple him because he was a Backward Class (BC) leader. Kumaraswamy also advised the ruling Congress to not be hostile to the BJP-led Central government.