Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy accused the Karnataka government of spreading misinformation regarding HMT land. He said that the matter is in the court and such rumors can affect the revival of HMT factory and employment of youth.
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [भारत]July 6 (ANI): Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday alleged that the Karnataka government has misused a recently retired officer to spread “misinformation” that the HMT land belongs to the forest department. He said the matter is sub-judice and indulging in such speculations, when the central government is working to restart the HMT factory, will “spoil” the future of the younger generation.
Speaking to ANI, Kumaraswamy claimed that reports circulating in the media that the forest department has issued a 30-day notice to take over HMT land are “incorrect”. This comes after a significant development in the dispute over 430 acres of land in possession of HMT Limited in Bengaluru.
What is the whole matter?
The forest department has ruled that the property worth an estimated Rs 15,000 crore is forest land and directed the company to hand over the entire area unless it files an appeal within 30 days of receiving the order.
Kumaraswamy said, “Today, our Karnataka government, by misusing an inefficient officer who retired a few days ago, has spread the news in many print and electronic media that the HMT land belongs to the forest department. They said that they have given 30 days notice to seize all the HMT land for forest. They are spreading this news, but it is not true. The matter is currently pending in the court.”
‘We are spoiling the future of the youth’
The Union Minister alleged that despite the matter being in court, misinformation was being spread and urged the DK Shivakumar government to desist from making such claims.
Kumaraswamy said, “However, these people… spread this misinformation. This is not true news. I demand that this government stop this, because our central government, under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, wants to restart the HMT factory. I am currently working on a plan to restart the plant. At this time, if you spread such misinformation, what will happen to thousands of youth seeking employment in that institute? By indulging in such speculations, you are destroying our young generation. are spoiling the future.”
He said the Heavy Industries Ministry is preparing a plan to restart the HMT factory and said speculation over land ownership could undermine the Centre’s efforts and adversely impact employment prospects for thousands of youth. Moreover, in the ongoing dispute over land held by Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) Ltd in Bengaluru’s Jalahalli area, the public sector undertaking was earlier directed to hand over 430 acres and 21 guntas of land in Peenya Plantation and Jarkabande Sandal Reserve to the forest department within 30 days after a court ruled that the land qualified as forest land. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)