Karnataka government to appoint MD for Bharat Gold Mines

The state government has decided to give additional charge to one of its senior officers as managing director for Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML), till the completion of handing over of BGML's movable and immovable properties to the state government.

In a written answer to the query from T A Saravana, Janata Dal(S) MLC, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Central government wanted to handover movable and immovable properties of BGML to the state government. "Union Minister for steel, mines and labour, Narendra Singh Tomar visited the state and had discussions with the state government. Minister Tomar discussed BGML issue during the meeting. It was decided to handover all the movable and immovable properties of the BGML to the state government. We have also responded positively to the Central government's proposal,'' the chief minister said.

The chief minister also said that BGML had applied on August 6, 2012 to the directorate of mines and geology for the renewal of lease for 20 more years. "The BGML has stopped all its mining activities since 2001. It has to clear Rs 35.83 crore royalty to the state government,'' he said.

Raising the issue during the zero hour, Saravana wanted to know about the state government's measures to reopen the BGML. "The mining activities have come to a standstill since 12 years. The UPA government had decided to reopen the BGML. Hundreds of workers are finding it tough to make both ends meet due to the closure of BGML. Some of the workers have ended their lives due to the closure of BGML,'' Saravana said.