The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : KGF needs a major industry, says MLA

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 26, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

KGF needs a major industry, says MLA

Special Correspondent

BGML closure has left people jobless

Bangalore: The member representing Kolar Gold Fields, S. Rajendran (Republican Party of India), on Friday sought the establishment of a major industry in the town to ease the problem of large-scale unemployment caused by the closure of Bharat Gold Mines Ltd.

Participating in the discussion on the budget in the Legislative Assembly on Friday, Mr. Rajendran's address was laced with wit and humour.

He noted that there is no mention of KGF in the budget, and it seems that the Government does not care for its people, most of whom belong to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. After the closure of the mines, the people of the once vibrant town are living in penury, and even the final settlement of dues has not been made. Nearly one lakh people from KGF travel to Bangalore every day looking for any kind of employment.

`Promises not fulfilled'

Mr. Rajendran said successive governments had promised steps to ensure employment for the people of the town. However, all the assurances remain on paper. Although KGF is close to Bangalore, the new Government has proposed the development of Ramanagaram, Jewargi and Shikaripur and has forgotten the problems of the people of the town. KGF lacks even basic amenities such as proper roads, drainage and drinking water supply.

Though the budget said that Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs will be given loans at 4 per cent interest from the Karnataka State Financial Corporation, it should be remembered that the corporation is on the verge of closure. If the Government is serious in that regard, it should arrange for loans from nationalised banks.

Mr. Rajendran also demanded a total ban on lotteries in the State. He also suggested that the Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma scheme for the benefit of the girl child should be modified and the girl child should be insured.

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