Centre Assures Action on Vizag Steel Plant Issues

Palla Srinivasa Rao, president of the Telugu Desam Party and MLA of Gajuwaka, met Union Minister for Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy at the RINL Guest House here on Sunday and discussed key issues concerning the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The Minister is learnt to have responded positively to the concerns raised.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao expressed serious concern over the closure of Vimala Vidyalaya in Ukkunagaram following the non-renewal of the MoA. He said the shutdown had left teaching and non-teaching staff in financial distress and affected students’ education. He urged immediate steps to safeguard jobs and ensure the release of pending salaries.

The MLA also highlighted the difficulties faced by R-card holders — locals who had given up land for the establishment of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited — stating that administrative hurdles were depriving them of employment opportunities. He called for the removal of such constraints and sought priority for locals in contract jobs.

Raising the long-pending land dispute involving Sanivada village in Gajuwaka mandal and the Steel Plant authorities, Mr. Srinivasa Rao suggested the utilisation of land identified through joint surveys for rehabilitation. He also proposed the development of community facilities such as a temple and a library, stressing the need for a permanent resolution.

In response, Mr. Kumaraswamy assured that the issues would be reviewed with the concerned authorities and addressed at the earliest.

Later, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said resolving public grievances remained his priority. He added that, under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the government was committed to taking local issues to the Centre and securing lasting solutions.