Centre reconfirms its stance on Visakhapatnam Steel Plant privatisation

In yet another setback for the ongoing efforts of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) workers and trade unions, to stop VSP’s privatisation, the Central Government has again made it clear that it will not reconsider its decision. The Union Minister of Steel, Ramachandra Prasad Singh, conveyed the Central Government’s stance in a written reply to this effect against the questions of the MPs raised in both the houses during the ongoing winter session of the Parliament.

Propagating for the Central Government’s stance, the Steel Minister noted that Visakhapatnam Steel Plant privatisation is a policy decision of the Union Government. Being one amongst the other manufacturing units PSUs that are being privatised. He added that privatisation would lead to major big players investing in the steel sector and this, in turn, will lead to growth in job opportunities. 

It could be noted that the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant protests recently completed 300 days into the hunger strike. Along with the steadfast protests, on the same lines, the Andhra Pradesh Legislative cabinet led by the Minister of Industries, Mekapati Gautam Reddy, passed the resolution unanimously to oppose the privatisation of VSP. Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking an appointment to explain to him the ground reality of the situation and discuss alternative revival plans. The AP CM also went to the extent of bringing an all-party delegation, and representation of various trade unions, to Delhi to convince the Central Government against their decision and halt the privatisation process.

Recently, on 12 December, 2021, showing solidarity with those protesting against Vizag Steel Plant privatization, actor-politician and JanaSena Party (JSP) President, Pawan Kalyan, went on a hunger strike. Calling it Sangheebhava Deeksha, the hunger strike started at 10 am and concluded at 5 pm on the same day.

Read here the timeline