VUPPC Demands EOI Withdrawal at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Calls for Job Protection

The Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee (VUPPC) on Sunday demanded the government withdraw the Expression of Interest (EOI) at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The committee also called for urgent steps to protect the thousands of jobs at the plant. A Mahadharna was held at the Kurmannapalem Steel Plant archi, chaired by Steel CITU Honorary President J Ayodhyaram.

State CITU General Secretary CH Narsingha Rao said the plant’s history is closely linked to worker struggles. He added that these struggles have earned respect across the country, including from leaders in both ruling and opposition parties. He warned that ignoring this respect or trying to manipulate public opinion could trigger strong reactions from workers. He asked the government to cancel the EOI immediately to prevent job losses.

VUPPC Chairman D Adinarayana urged the state government to honor promises made while in opposition. He criticized statements by local assembly and parliament members for hurting steel workers’ feelings and said the current problems at the plant are due to management policies. He added that the state must pressure the central government to fix these issues, warning that a state-wide movement could follow if nothing is done.

Committee Chairman Mantri Rajasekhar said displaced families gave land for the plant with the promise of jobs. He demanded the EOI be canceled to protect these families and the working class.

Representatives including Ganapathi Reddy and AIDWA state leader P Mani criticized the Chief Minister for ignoring large-scale job losses at the plant. They condemned the management for threatening jobs and warned that such policies must stop immediately.

The Mahadharna was attended by committee members, union leaders, local officials, and a large crowd of workers, youth, women, and children, showing strong community support for protecting steel plant jobs.