Union Minister Kumaraswamy, K'taka Minister Eshwar Khandre trade charges on HMT land

Bengaluru, Jul 16 (PTI) A war of words erupted on Thursday between Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre over the ownership and future of the HMT land in Bengaluru. While Kumaraswamy accused the state government of "obstructing" HMT's revival, Khandre insisted that the land be returned to the government. Kumaraswamy alleged that the Karnataka government was "attempting to derail efforts" to revive the public sector undertaking by raising disputes over the land. "I am trying to revive HMT. They only want to stop that. That is why all this is happening," he told reporters after inspecting the HMT campus. Countering him, Khandre said the state had allotted the land to HMT only for industrial purposes and that the government was entitled to reclaim it if the conditions were violated. Displaying a copy of the Mysore Gazette dated September 28, 1961, he said, "If such a condition exists even for granted 'patta' (lease) land, shouldn't the same condition apply to forest land?" Kumaraswamy said the issue was not about politics or publicity but about protecting a public sector enterprise that once employed over 25,000 workers and had established manufacturing units across the country. "I am not sharing my views for publicity or to criticise anyone. I have called you only to present facts that will open the eyes of the people of the state and those running the administration," he said. He alleged that attempts were being made every day to break up HMT land on the pretext that portions belonged to the Forest Department, while maintaining that the PSU possessed all legal documents and that the matter was pending before the Supreme Court. "I will not discuss issues that are before the court. I have called you only to place the facts before the people," he said. Khandre, however, said the 1961 agreement under which land in Jalahalli, Peenya and Makali Channenahalli in the city was handed over to HMT clearly stipulated that it could be used only for industrial purposes and would revert to the government if the condition was breached. Referring to commercial activities inside the HMT campus, Khandre said he had earlier pointed out that film and television serial shootings were being held in the premises and had asked Kumaraswamy to inspect the site. "He has visited the premises today, and I welcome that. He should also see the green cover in the area," he said. The state minister urged that the land be preserved as a green lung for Bengaluru. "This valuable land belongs to the seven crore people of Karnataka. It should be preserved as a green lung for the residents of north Bengaluru. The land should be returned to the government," he said. Rejecting allegations over HMT land transactions, Kumaraswamy said several transfers had taken place before his tenure as Chief Minister and claimed that he had halted further registrations in 2006-07. "When this issue came to my notice in 2006-07, I directed the Chief Secretary that no HMT land should be registered under any circumstances. After that, the sales stopped," he said. The union minister said he had directed HMT officials to compile complete details of around 175 acres allegedly sold to private entities and promised an inquiry into whether the transactions were legal. "All the old records will be collected. We will examine whether the transactions were legal or illegal. If there has been any illegality, appropriate recommendations and action will follow," he said. Kumaraswamy also said the Centre was preparing a roadmap to revive HMT and claimed monthly production at HMT Watches had increased from around 1,000 to 10,000 units under the new management. "Demand exists. Production has gone up from 1,000 to 10,000 watches a month," he said. Appealing to the state government, Kumaraswamy said it should investigate past land transactions instead of repeatedly targeting HMT. "If there have been illegal sales, investigate them, recover the land if necessary, and then we can discuss the forest issue," he said. PTI GMS GMS ROH