Strong CMD, strong work … After 20 years of leasing of NMDC mines in Chhattisgarh, it is now Karnataka’s turn

NPG Reporter
Raipur, 21 January 2020.
National Mineral Development Corporation, the country’s largest iron ore company, has more than 70 per cent mines in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh. Most of the country’s steel industries, along with Japan and South Korea, supply raw materials from Dantewada itself. When the agitation started in July last year in protest against NMDC in Dantewada, the company faced a big crisis. This demonstration in the name of water, forest and land started at a time when there was renewal process of mining lease from the state government. The government had also changed in Chhattisgarh. BJP government at the center and Congress in Chhattisgarh. CM is also as sharp as Bhupesh Baghel and gives importance to localism.

In such a difficult and challenging situation, NMDC’s IAS CMD N Baijendra Kumar did a wonderful job. With his contacts and fast decision in Chhattisgarh, he not only managed to end the agitation but the state government also renewed the lease for 20 years to NMDC. Apparently, it is being seen as a historic achievement of NMDC in the corporate field.

Actually, Baijendra is an IAS of Chhattisgarh cadre. The Government of India has made him CMD in NMDC on deputation. Baijendra has been the secretary of many departments in Chhattisgarh like Industry, Power, Housing and Environment, Public Relations. In Chhattisgarh, he is known to speak with the decision-making IAS as well as his speech. This was the advantage of the company during the NMDC crisis.
At the time of the agitation, when he reached Raipur from Hyderabad to meet Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, he did not face the problems which are usually faced by corporate houses or heads of government companies. In Chhattisgarh, all bureaucrats are junior to him or working with him. When the Chief Minister asked him to give importance in recruiting the people of Bastar to NMDC and to open the office of the MD of Nagarnar Steel Plant in Nagarnar, if there was another CMD, he would once speak to the Ministry of Steel or the Board of Directors Discussion with. But, Baijendra, without delay, convinced the CM that the office would be opened in Dantewada for the recruitment of Class Three at NMDC. He immediately agreed to the MD of Nagarnar. Not only this, an order in this regard was also issued from Hyderabad headquarters shortly.
This completely changed the situation in favor of NMDC. The enthusiasm of the agitators fell after Bastar got such a great gift. At the same time, the government also took a tough stance to end the movement. As a result of the coordination made by the state government, NMDC also got a 20-year lease. That is, the strong CMD showed strong work. However, Baijendra himself is not in favor of taking any credit. In the discussion with Chhattisgarh Power Game, he said that he has no effort…. He did his job as CMD…. His only effort is that the steel industries continue to get iron ore regularly.

After the renewal of the mining lease by the Chhattisgarh government for 20 years, there are now signs of good news coming from Karnataka for NMDC. With the efforts of Baijendra, the Karnataka government may soon give the green signal to extend the lease.