Global tenders for KGF revival soon: Muniyappa

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug 24: Global tenders for the revival of the Kolar Gold Fields of Central public sector undertaking Bharat Gold Mines Ltd (BGML) would be floated in another two to three months, according to K H Muniyappa, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Industries.

Muniyappa, who is representing the Kolar reserve Lok Sabha constituency, told reporters that he had met the Union Mines Minister Dinsha J Patel in Delhi on Thursday and had a detailed discussion on the revival of KGF mines following the recent Supreme Court decision on the plea of employees and local people for the revival.

"I requested the Union Minister to accelerate the process of floating the global tenders,” he said pointing out that the latter had assured him that the process was underway and would take two to three months.

The minister was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Indo-Arab Chamber of Commerce function in Bangalore on Friday, August 23. He pointed out that the employees union had offered to run the mines.

However, with the decision to float global tenders as per the direction of the Supreme Court, all would be given an opportunity to submit their bids.

"The highest bidder will be given the job of running the mines. It is the responsibility of the bidder to pay employees the quantum of money or arrears they are entitled to,” he said. The BGML had been shut down in 2001 leaving over 3,000 employees jobless.

The employees challenged challenged the closure in the Karnataka High Court, which ruled in favour of the employees and directed that the Centre should revive the PSU on its own.

However, the Centre had challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, which also upheld the decision of the Karnataka High Court but allowed the Centre to float the global tender.