CPI(M) calls for cancellation of bids for privatisation of 44 departments in Visakhapatnam Steel Plant

Demanding the speedy intervention of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Ok. Pawan Kalyan to cancel the bids issued for Expression of Interest (EOI) in direction of privatisation of 44 departments within the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), representatives of the CPI(M) district committee staged a protest at Jagadamba Junction right here on Tuesday.

Addressing the protesters, CPI(M) district secretary M. Jaggunaidu recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured that VSP would stay within the public sector whereas asserting the revival package deal. He identified that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister too had promised there can be no privatisation, displaced individuals can be given justice, and the revival package deal was showcased as an achievement of the alliance authorities inside its first yr in energy.

However, Mr. Jaggunaidu alleged that the package deal was meant to mislead staff and the general public, whereas accelerating the privatisation course of. At current, he mentioned, VSP engages almost 600 native non-public companies and contractors, who’re set to get replaced by round 50 massive companies working underneath the affect of the Centre and the State authorities. This, he warned, would deprive officers and everlasting staff of any say in operations.

He additional cautioned that the transfer would lead to downsizing of everlasting workers and mass termination of contract staff. Outsourced staff from different States can be appointed as a substitute, with out rights or job safety. The EOI, he alleged, was designed to learn massive contractors and politically influential teams. VSP, which supplies employment to almost one lakh individuals straight and not directly and has contributed about ₹54,000 crore to the Centre and State in taxes and dividends, was being handed over to vested pursuits, he alleged.

CPI(M) district secretariat member B. Ganga Rao got here down closely on TDP State president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao, and Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat for not opposing the termination of 5,000 contract staff and a couple of,000 everlasting staff in VSP. He termed it a betrayal of the individuals who had voted them to energy.

District leaders R.Ok.S.V. Kumar, P. Mani, B. Jagan, V. Krishna Rao, B. Eswaramma, Subba Rao, P. Pydiraju and U.S.N. Raju additionally took half within the protest.