KARNATAKA: The 3,500-odd former workers of Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML) in Kolar Gold Field have just one question on their minds. When will operations resume at the mines of Kolar Gold Field resume giving them back their jobs and life of dignity?
It has been a little over a decade since the country’s premier gold mining company, the BGML, shut down its operations in Kolar.
To be precise, the world’s second deepest mines, which was once the backbone of Indian economy and had given work to more than 45,000 persons, closed on March 1, 2001.
Since the day of the closure, there have been speculations about it resuming operations. Successive state governments and local politicians have won elections with promises to bring back the glory of BGML, but the workers are patiently waiting for that day to come.
“All that we want to see is that the BGML resumes operations here. Revival will pave way for job opportunities,” said Muniswamy, who lost his right hand while working at the mines in 1995.
According to estimates, more than 804 tonnes of gold have been extracted from the BGML, which is worth `45,000 crore approximately.
The Union government decided to close operations of the BGML, a public sector undertaking, under Article 25(O) of the Industrial Disputes Act for incurring loss in running the mines and non-availability of gold.
Employees and trade unions of the BGML, however, argue that the company was a victim of “artificially induced sickness” due to wrong policies and management.
The workers and trade unions are still fighting a case in court. They have also made several representations to political parties, parliamentary standing committees, the Prime Minister and even to the President of India.
The dues of workers under the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) have not been cleared yet.
Various committees after inspecting the mines recommended rehabilitation, but nothing has happened despite recommendations from courts.
About 12,500 acres of vacant land owned by the BGML has remained unused for years.
Though several government companies and private entrepreneurs have approached the Ministry of Mines to start industries there, but the requests have been rejected on the ground that the matter was still pending before the court.
Now, the Union Cabinet has taken a decision to revive the mines and invite global tenders.
Meanwhile, property worth crores of rupees have been stolen from the BGML premises, including mining equipment, copper wires and wood, despite the presence of security personnel. Several criminal cases have also been registered with various police stations in the last ten years.
Ministerspeak
Union Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa has been elected from Kolar constituency six times in a row and has been making efforts to have the mines re-opened.
He has taken steps to establish a textile park in the vacant land owned by the BGML and a high-level meeting was convened with the Textile Ministry.
Muniyappa said the Union government was keen to take up the revival under the Private Public Partnership (PPP) mode by calling global tenders with the employees forum.
The Union Cabinet has taken a decision to file a petition before the Supreme Court to allow resuming of operations on PPP model.
While hoping to get a positive decision in the apex court for floating global tenders, it will simultaneously invite industries to establish business at the proposed textile park.
G.Jayakumar, coordintor of the BGML Employees, Supervisors and Officers United Forum, said they wanted to see an initiative to revive the company and guarantee the long-pending dues of workers like balance VRS compensation and interest payment to a tune of `18 crore for the belted settlement of service gratuity and other concessions approved in the cabinet.
