Unions demand end to Visakha Steel Plant privatization, call for state control

Andhra Pradesh: Trade unions, student groups, and agricultural associations organized a protest at the Konaseema District Collector’s office, demanding an end to the privatization of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and the allocation of its own iron ore mines. Leaders warned that the plant, built with public sacrifice, should remain under government ownership to safeguard the state’s interests.

One-day relay protest in Amalapuram

On Thursday, a one-day relay protest was held at Dr. B R Ambedkar Konaseema District Collector’s office, led by unions CITU, AITUC, INTUC, and supported by public organizations, student groups, and farmer unions. The protest aimed to highlight the detrimental effects of privatizing the Visakha Steel Plant and urged the government to allocate its own mines to ensure the plant’s sustainability.

Demands to halt privatization and secure resources

The protestors demanded the government immediately halt the ongoing privatization process of the Visakha Steel Plant and allocate dedicated iron ore mines to the plant. MLC Illa Venkateswara Rao criticized the government for neglecting the plant’s future and emphasized the need for state ownership to maintain productivity and quality. Leaders from various unions condemned the removal of 4,000 contract workers and questioned why political figures, such as Pawan Kalyan, have remained silent on these issues.

Leaders call for action against privatization

Speaking at the protest, AITUC Joint District President K Sattibabu, CITU District General Secretary N Balaram, Agriculture Labor Union State Vice President Kaarem Venkateswara Rao, and INTUC leader Aita Battula Subhashini reminded the gathering of the historical sacrifices made to establish the Visakha Steel Plant. They argued that despite a lack of dedicated resources, the plant has been operating at 120% capacity when provided with the necessary raw materials, disproving claims that public sector industries are inefficient.

Venkateswara Rao warned that the allocation of iron ore to private companies, instead of the steel plant itself, would result in the loss of an important public asset built with the sacrifices of thousands. “The steel plant was built with the blood and sweat of the people, and it should not be handed over to private entities for profit,” he said.

Concerns over political inaction

Leaders criticized the silence of major political figures on the issue. AITUC leader Vasamshetty Satthiraju questioned why Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan, who spoke out against previous government actions when they were in opposition, have remained quiet now regarding the plight of the steel plant’s workers. He condemned the forced transfer of employees fighting against privatization and warned that public anger would continue to grow if the government ignored their demands.

Participants in the protest

Among those present were CITU District President G Durgaprasad, Vice Chancellor Bhaskara Rao, Kaulu Rythu Sangam District General Secretary Peethala Ramachandra Rao, Agricultural Labor Union District Vice President Tadi Sriram Murthy, P Srinivasarao, B Venkatrao, B Parvatalu, G Daivakrupa and several others, including SFI District Convener K Shankar, SFI Girls Convener G Shashi, J Santhosh, J Navyasri and AIDWA leaders like T Naga Varalakshmi, President Ameeda, Anganwadi District President B Venkatalakshmi, K Venkatalakshmi, AITUC leaders V Srinivas, B Phanindra, U Venkatesh, N Srinivasarao and other joined the protest, adding to the growing movement against privatization.

The protest concluded with a symbolic act, as leaders K Shankar, Kaarem Venkateshwarao and V Dorababu offered lemon juice to them who took part in the relay fast.