Without NDA, VSP Would Be Privatised: Palla Srinivas Rao
Andhra Pradesh Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao on Wednesday dismissed YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s allegations that the NDA government had failed to protect the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), claiming that the plant would have been privatised had the NDA not come to power in 2024.
Addressing the media at the TDP office in Visakhapatnam shortly after Mr. Jagan’s visit to the city, Mr. Srinivasa Rao accused the former Chief Minister of ignoring key facts regarding the steel plant.
“During the YSRCP regime, workers’ unions were forced to wage prolonged agitations against the proposed privatisation of VSP. Those protest camps were withdrawn only after the NDA government assumed office and took decisive steps to safeguard the steel plant,” he said.
Taking a swipe at both the YSRCP and certain trade union leaders, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said some union representatives who are now standing alongside Mr. Jagan had earlier claimed that an infusion of around ₹3,000 crore would be sufficient to revive the plant.
“In contrast, the NDA government facilitated a financial package of ₹11,440 crore for the steel plant, reflecting its commitment to the plant’s revival and long-term sustainability,” he said.
Highlighting the State government’s role, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said Andhra Pradesh had extended significant support to the Central Public Sector Enterprise by spending nearly ₹2,600 crore to help the steel plant address its financial challenges.
“In contrast, the previous YSRCP government continued collecting electricity dues from the struggling steel plant on the first day of every month, despite being fully aware of its financial distress,” he alleged.
Referring to the rehabilitation and compensation measures announced after the recent blast at the steel plant, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the government had assured permanent employment to eligible family members of the deceased workers, in addition to statutory and retirement benefits.
“The government is committed to providing these jobs within 90 days. At the same time, comprehensive measures will be taken to strengthen safety protocols and prevent such incidents in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, Home Minister V. Anitha questioned Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s commitment to the steel plant workers, recalling that workers’ unions had staged protests for hundreds of days against privatisation during the YSRCP’s tenure.
“Despite the prolonged agitation, Mr. Jagan never visited the protest camp or the steel plant. When workers sought an audience with him, he invited a few representatives to the airport instead of visiting the plant and standing with them,” Ms. Anitha said.
Ms. Anitha said the NDA government had not only protected the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant from privatisation but had also taken steps to strengthen its future and safeguard the interests of its workforce.