Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy criticized the Karnataka government for allegedly obstructing efforts to revive HMT, a public sector enterprise. He raised concerns over the State Forest Department’s actions, accusing them of interfering with judicial proceedings by demanding HMT to surrender land. Kumaraswamy vowed to challenge the order in court, emphasizing his commitment to securing a special revival package for HMT.
Kumaraswamy highlighted his ongoing efforts to revitalize HMT, which has faced financial challenges for years. He alleged that just as a special package was nearing approval, the state government issued a notice through the Forest Department, raising suspicions of ulterior motives. The Minister expressed disappointment over the situation, citing past instances of unauthorized land transactions involving HMT properties.
The Minister condemned the alleged exploitation of HMT land and pledged to prevent further encroachments. He criticized the state government for what he described as neglecting government-owned industries and engaging in a real estate agenda. Kumaraswamy reassured HMT employees of the government’s commitment to reviving the enterprise, despite the challenges posed by the Forest Department’s actions.
Aiming to revive HMT’s legacy, Kumaraswamy underscored the company’s historical significance and its contributions to critical sectors like space and defense. He lamented the state government’s lack of support for preserving such industries, expressing regret over their apparent disregard for HMT’s importance in the industrial landscape.
