Kumaraswamy meets with protesting BEML workers, assures solution

NT Correspondent

Kolar

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy assured that he would discuss the issues of Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) contract workers with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Accompanied by Kolar MP Mallesh Babu, MLAs Venkata Shiva Reddy and Samruddhi Manjunath, the minister visited the protest site in Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) where workers have been staging a sit-in for the past 13 days, and held discussions with them. “I have already discussed your demands with the company's CMD (Chairman and Managing Director), and he has responded positively. Tomorrow morning (Monday), I will be leaving for (New) Delhi to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence to discuss your issues.

Shri Rajnath Singh is especially concerned about Karnataka, and I am confident he will respond positively to your problems,” Kumaraswamy told the protesting workers. “I understand the pain behind your demands, including job regularization and salary hikes. Before coming here, I spoke with the BEML CMD over the phone. While the issue of job regularization is beyond my authority, we are ready to address and resolve the rest of your demands. The CMD has expressed willingness to discuss further if the workers end the protest and return to work. Let’s work together to find an amicable solution,” he said, advising workers to return to work.

BEML comes under the authority of the Union government. Former MP Muniswamy, MLC Inchara Govindaraju, former MLC Chowdareddy Toopalli, former MLAs Sampangi and Narayana Swamy, along with several leaders and representatives of various workers' organizations, were also present.