New Delhi : With the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, the issue of the Mines Ministry’s intense efforts to ensure the prized Ramandurg iron ore mines for state-run Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC) intensified today with Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan seeking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention in restraining the Mines Ministry from doing so, arguing that state-run mineral giant National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), under his ministry, was its rightful claimant. The issue is about who should get iron ore mining rights in Ramanadurg range of the state’s Bellary district, considered country’s finest iron ore mine. It all began with Mines Minister Sis Ram Ola making intense efforts in securing the Ramandurg Mines for MMTC, which is under the Commerce Ministry, a move that was firmly opposed by his erstwhile Secretary Shantanu Consul. Ola is understood to have been very angry with Consul for referring the matter to Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar highlighting the need for obtaining the Legislative Department’s advice before endorsing the minister’s contention.In his letter to the Prime Minister, Paswan pointed out that NMDC had already prospected the said area, way back in 1971-73 and was the first and sole applicant in applying for mining lease for 4.5 square kilometers out of a total area of 16.8 sq km. However, when the Karnataka government de-reserved the entire area in the state’s Bellary district later on NMDC swift moved the Karnataka High Court.
The single judge bench in its order in November 2006 directed the state to consider the PSU’s application for the said area in the Ramandurg mines, which was subsequently upheld by a division bench of the High Court. Paswan also pointed out that another PSU under his ministry, the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) also under his ministry was also another claimant of the said mines. “KIOCL is fighting for its survival and allotment of Ramandurg mines is crucial to its survival.” He said Steel Secretary Pramod Kumar Rastogi has already taken up the matter with his mines counterpart.
URL- http://www.indianexpress.com/story_print.php?storyid=441518
I totally support Mr. Paswan and feel that Ramandurg iron ore mines should remain with NDMC under his ministry
ReplyDeleteDespite being busy with the campaigning for the Lok Sabha Elections, Paswan ji took out the time for an issue as critical as Ramandurg....I salute his spirit and dedication for his profile , I think if India wants to progress then every leader should have a will and dedication as strong as his and as far as these mines are concerned........no one else can run them better than his ministry
ReplyDeleteI think actiobn should be taken on the PSU application soon.........
ReplyDeleteDonno if iron ore mine comes under the Commerce ministry but yes it for sure doent come under NDMC- Ms. Priyanka..... I think a lay man is really not eqquip to comment on this one but bcoz im a great fan of Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan I visit this blog often and think he is one gutsy leader
ReplyDeleteI think is issue is just another way of being noticed in the media and no minister or ministry is seriously interested in the public's interest......
ReplyDeleteHats off to Mr. Paswan, for raising a valid point and bringing it to the notice of PM. Why the central government is playing cheap games to take over the rights of state run mine which is legally belonging to the state??
ReplyDelete