Union Minister of Steel Brij Kishor Tripathi has urged the State government to extend the mining lease licence of the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) for another 20 years. The Union cabinet has "already" taken a decision to this effect amending its earlier position. Talking to reporters here on Friday night, Mr Tripathi said even though the Union Environment Ministry initially took the view that only a five-year extension may be given for mining in Kudremukh, the Union Cabinet amended this position and decided to give 20 years of lease. But the State government should finally decide on this matter as it is the licence renewing authority. Moreover, public interest litigation (PIL) is pending against continuation of mining in Kudremukh in the Supreme Court, he said while confirming that the KIOCL had secured one-year temporary lease extension from October 24 from the State government. ANSWERLESS: However, Mr Tripathi was unable to convincingly answer many questions raised by the reporters during the press conference. The steel minister said KIOCL has "excellent track-record of performance and profit without causing any harm to environment". The experts' committee reports are in favour of KIOCL, he added. But when it was pointed out to him that the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) report had gone against KIOCL, the Forest department had clearly advised against continuation of mining and the National Park Law had prohibited any mining activity within the Kudremukh, he failed to come up with a reply. As the press meet was getting "hot", the ministry secretary Khanna hurriedly wound up the conference. Earlier, KIOCL Chairman Murari also intervened to help the minister. He reiterated the estimated iron ore present in the Kudremukh was enough for another 20 years. But it was pointed out to him that Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited went on record last year, stating that the ore was enough for merely six years and later it may have to look for "primary ore or fresh areas.”

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