Karnataka - Bellary   

Centre's mineral export policy opposed

Staff Correspondent

CITU State-level conference adopts resolution

BELLARY: The 10th State-level conference of the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has opposed the Union Government's policy of allowing export of natural mineral resources instead of initiating steps to utilise it for the overall development of the country and industries. The resolution, adopted in this regard, also pointed out that the present policy had allowed looting of mineral wealth, which was limited, besides allowing a few rich to become richer. Decentralising exports, unlike in the past when it was through Mineral and Metal Trading Corporation (MMTC), had also given room for unhealthy development in the mining sector, it said.

The conference said there was scope for the country to make use of mineral resources by setting up industries to produce steel, which, in turn, would provide more employment opportunities. But priority was being accorded to exports of iron ore, though the domestic steel industry was facing problems for want of ore. Liberalisation had not only led to rapid mining affecting environment and damaging crops in the vicinity of mines but had also given room for mafia, corruption and criminal activities in Bellary district, it said.

`Anti-labour' policy

The conference adopted another resolution condemning the "anti-labour" policy of the State Government. The conference noted that the existing policy did not allow registration of trade unions and notices were being issued in some districts to cancel the registration. The working class was being deprived of their rights to go on strike, take out rallies in support of their demands. Besides laws had been relaxed to attract foreign investments and to extend concessions to them.

The conference urged the Government to drop all "anti-labour" policies and come to the rescue of the working class.

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