if the sp gets any lower, page-22

well tomorrow has arrived
Is that right? The company owns the land and the taj. Bit better than the average donga and just what rental income is it producing for shareholders?

Graffiti attack targets coal magnate’s home
BEVAN SHIELDS
11 Apr, 2012 04:00 AM
He is regarded as the Illawarra’s favourite adopted son, but it seems not everyone shares strong affection for Arun Jagatramka.
The Gujarat NRE Coking Coal executive chairman became the target of a vandalism attack on Monday night when anti-mining messages were sprayed across the front fence of his Cliff Rd home.

The scrawl included ‘‘carbon criminal’’, ‘‘I smell a gujarat’’ and ‘‘can’t eat coal, can’t drink gas’’, a slogan used by environmental lobby group Lock The Gate Alliance.

Mr Jagatramka declined to comment yesterday, however Wollongong police are believed to be investigating the matter.

Lock The Gate Alliance president Drew Hutton condemned the incident but said it highlighted the emotive nature of mining and the environment.

‘‘Our whole commitment is to non-violent actions and this [graffiti] would be completely inconsistent with that,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s at the less harmful end of unacceptable behaviour but still unacceptable nevertheless.’’

The imposing Cliff Rd home was completed late last year after the site was purchased by the Indian mining company for $5 million in 2008.

It is not Mr Jagatramka’s full-time residence.

In a statement, the NSW Minerals Council, an industry body representing miners, described Mr Jagatramka as a ‘‘leading citizen of the Illawarra’’ making a ‘‘significant contribution to the region’s future’’.

Gujarat NRE operates collieries at Wongawilli and Russell Vale and employs about 600 people.

‘‘Criminal acts like the vandalism that occurred overnight have no place in public debates about key policy issues in this country,’’ the Minerals Council said.

‘‘Once again it appears that the so-called ‘anti-coal movement’ has been overtaken by extremists who are prepared to flout the law to make their point.

‘‘We call upon all members of the community, including those with strong views on the coal industry, to join us in condemning this latest illegal act.’’

Mr Hutton said the use of a Lock The Gate Alliance slogan did not mean a member or supporter was responsible.

‘‘This is an issue that stirs people’s emotions and our job is to try to direct that into productive and non-violent channels,’’ he said.

‘‘We do that wherever we can but there’s always going to be strong emotions and that’s not always going to be possible.’’

The graffiti was painted over by lunchtime yesterday.