Unions ask steel ministry to let SAIL fund VSP

Vishakapatnam: Trade union leaders spearheading the agitation against privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) are eagerly waiting for more companies to show interest in funding the organisation. The deadline for expression of interest (EoI) by companies is ending on Thursday at 3 p.m.

Only 22 companies, including six foreign ones, had filed papers showing interest in VSP when the original deadline for EoI ended on April 15. Singareni Collieries, which the ruling BRS government claimed will save VSP, did not file any EoI at the time.

In the backdrop of union tourism minister G. Kishan Reddy demanding a white paper on finances of SCCL and the company claiming a healthy status, trade union leaders are hoping Singareni will express interest in funding VSP’s revival.

“Whoever may bid, we want union steel ministry to allow SAIL to file EoI for funding VSP,” said Ch. Narsinga Rao, CITU state president and one of the Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Committee chairmen.

He pointed out that SAIL has reserves of iron for next 200 years. It will be the most suitable company that can revive the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, he maintained.

Narsinga Rao said as part of their efforts to check privatisation of VSP, they will organise a state-wide rasta roko for two hours throughout Andhra Pradesh on May 3.

Meanwhile, Praja Shanti Party president and former CBI official V.V. Lakshminarayana, at a joint press conference, announced that they will protect VSP from privatisation. He said they have enough capacity to raise funds for revival of the steel plant.

Lakshminarayana said it is unfortunate that YSRC, having 23 MPs in parliament, is unable to prevent privatisation of the steel plant.