HMT Land Dispute: HD Kumaraswamy Accuses Karnataka Govt of Stall Tactics Against Rs 15,000-Cr PSU Revival

The high-stakes political slugfest over prime real estate in Bengaluru has escalated significantly. Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy, launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government, accusing it of weaponizing the Forest Department to deliberately derail the Central government’s impending multi-crore package to revive Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT).

The controversy centers on a June 15 directive issued by Bengaluru Urban Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), N. Ravindra Kumar. The order gave HMT a strict 30-day ultimatum to surrender 430 acres and 21 guntas of land in the Peenya Plantation and Jarakabande Sandal Reserve area of North Bengaluru—a premium property valued at nearly ₹15,000 crore. The department claims the parcel remains un-denotified forest land.

‘Malicious Intent’ to Block PSU Revival

Addressing a press conference in the city, a furious Kumaraswamy questioned the timing and legality of the eviction notice, pointing out that the order was issued just two weeks before the designated officer’s retirement.

“With the objective of breathing new life into HMT, my ministry has been working tirelessly to secure a special revival package from the Prime Minister and the Union Finance Minister. Discussions are slated for next week. Just as we are close to announcing this lifeline for the PSU, the state government, out of sheer malice, has engineered this notice,” Kumaraswamy alleged.

The Union Minister asserted that the land dispute is currently sub judice. He slammed the state’s action as a direct intrusion into the legal process. “When the matter is pending before the courts, issuing a hard deadline amounts to interference with judicial proceedings and is contrary to the law. Furthermore, the local officer has no independent jurisdiction to pass such an order. HMT will firmly challenge this in court,” he said.

Allegations of Land Grabbing and ‘Vulture’ Politics

Turning up the political heat on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, the JD(S) leader alleged that previous Congress regimes had systemically plundered HMT’s land holdings.

Kumaraswamy claimed that a past Congress administration—in which members of the current state cabinet held portfolios—had alienated and sold off 175 acres of HMT land to private real estate businesses and developers.

“Under the administration of those who promised to transform Bengaluru into Singapore, HMT’s lands were torn apart and devoured like vultures,” Kumaraswamy remarked, adding that he possesses comprehensive registration data detailing these past transactions. He reassured the anxious employees of the PSU that during his tenure as Chief Minister in 2006, he had strictly halted any further land sales to safeguard the institution from the real estate mafia.

Impact on Youth and Employment

The Union Minister warned that the Karnataka government’s “misinformation campaign” could severely damage the economic landscape and ruin employment prospects for thousands of local youths. HMT remains a key manufacturer of critical components for India’s strategic sectors, including defence, aerospace, and advanced research.

“By indulging in this kind of manufactured speculation, the state government is spoiling the future of our younger generation who look to HMT for employment. Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, we are fully committed to reviving HMT, and no roadblock created by the state will stop us,” Kumaraswamy stated.

The battle for Bengaluru’s green lungs versus central industrial infrastructure is poised for its next big showdown in the courtroom, as HMT prepares its legal counter-offensive against the Forest Department’s eviction drive.