Now, Sriramulu too is on fast
Former minister B Sriramulu is on a fast in support of the serial hunger strike being held by the members of the State Sponge Iron Producers' Association here for the last several days.
The members have been urging the government to take steps to supply ore to various resident sponge iron plants in the district, in the backdrop of the ban on mining and ore transport in the district. The mining of ore and its transport has come to a halt following the Supreme Court directive imposing a blanket ban on all mining activities in Bellary, following reports of large-scale illegal mining and violation of environmental norms.
Taking part in the hunger strike, the former minister said due to the ban, sponge iron production plants have suspended production owing to non-supply of iron ore.
To write to PM
Sriramulu said he will write to the Union Minister for Mines and the Prime Minister in this regard and appeal them to look into the problems.
He said let the Government act against those involved in illegal mining and arrest the offenders.
But at the same time, it should take measures to address the problems of the industries which are dependent on ore.
Thousands of people dependent on sponge iron plants were affected directly and indirectly. The government should take a serious note of their sufferings, he said.
Sriramulu said so far, only the National Mines and Development Corporation (NMDC) was continuing mining operations in the district.
It was the sole supplier of ore to all the ore-dependent industries. But the quantity was insufficient.
Sriramulu said he would try to meet the chief minister and other ministers and urge them to solve the problems faced by the local plants and the labourers, whose livelihood depends on mining.
He alleged that the Government was treating the people of Bellary as untouchables. It should give-up this attitude and instead focus on trying to solve the problems here, he added.
