Mon Feb 03 14:43:29 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Minister Accuses Union Counterpart of Misrepresenting KIOCL Issues

**Bengaluru, February 3, 2025** – Karnataka Environment Minister B. Eshwar Khandre today accused Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of falsely accusing the state government of plotting to shut down Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. (KIOCL) out of political vendetta. Khandre countered that Kumaraswamy’s allegations are a smokescreen to deflect attention from KIOCL’s own wrongdoings.

Khandre cited KIOCL’s alleged environmental damage and unpaid dues of ₹1,400 crore to the Forest Department for illegal activities, including raising the height of the Lakya reservoir, leading to the submersion of forest land. He stated that KIOCL owes ₹1,349.52948 crore, including interest, and must return 1,334.33 hectares of land. He pointed to reports from the Central Empowered Committee and the Public Accounts Committee highlighting these violations.

Khandre further questioned Kumaraswamy’s lack of action regarding the stalled steel plant at Veniveerapura, for which land was allocated in 2014. He also raised concerns about irregularities surrounding the allocation of forest land to Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT), alleging illegal sales of this land to private entities. The minister emphasized the absence of proper documentation and approvals for the land transfer.

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