Govt. may withdraw mining lease to KIOCL

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JULY 19. Environmentalists fighting to preserve what is left of Kudremukh, after 30 years of iron ore mining, might have something to cheer for; the Government's decision not to extend mining lease given to Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd.

Interestingly, the same person who granted the lease, as Minister for Industry 30 years ago, is now expected to take the decision to terminate it.

Addressing a meeting of the national executive committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday, the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M.Krishna, said: ``The Government might have to withdraw the lease given to KIOCL.''

``We have seen the degradation of environment. Now certainly, we have to make amends. The amends must be met squarely,'' he said.

Mr. Krishna, who recalled that ``even then, my elders had warned me'' of the damage that would be caused by the mining, however, could not resist throwing an element of doubt on what the decision was likely to be. ``There must be a delicate balance; we cannot simply throw out the investments made there,'' he said.

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Section  : Southern States
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