TDP will never accept privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant: Party leader Lokesh

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], December 18 : TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh said on Monday that his party will never accept the privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).
"TDP will never accept privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. We will certainly raise our voice in Parliament against the move to privatise the plant," said Nara Lokesh.
He said that if TDP comes to power in the coming election, it will extend its cooperation for the plant, like allotting captive mines, which are necessary for its survival.
Lokesh met with people who gave land to the steel plant during his Yuva Galam pada yatra in Gajuwaka, which ended on Monday after 226 days.
Those who have been displaced by the steel plant project told Lokesh that even after 40 years, justice has not been done to them, though they have given their lands for the project.
The displaced told Lokesh that once the Union government privatises the plant, they will be the worst hit. The majority of them are yet to get compensation for the lands that they have given for the plant and also jobs as promised by the management, they said.
The displaced appealed to Lokesh to continue the steel plant in the public sector once the TDP is back in power in the coming polls.
Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is the result of many sacrifices after a prolonged battle, Lokesh said. This is the only steel plant located along the seashore.
Andhra's self-respect is attached to this plant and at any cost, its privatisation will not be allowed, Lokesh stated.
Though the Centre has already announced that the plant will be privatised, the Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, has been remaining silent for fear of the Centre's reprisal by bringing back the cases pending against him, Lokesh alleged.
Lokesh also alleged that Jagan has designed a plan to loot 8,000 acres of the steel plant by joining hands with some local industrialists, adding that the "coming TDP government will certainly initiate steps for the welfare and security of the steel plant employees and workers."
Steps will also be taken to the steel plant displaced and implement all the promises made to them, he promised the displaced.
Lokesh told the Padmasali representatives who met him at the Durgapuram bus stand that Jagan who had promised the BCs that he would be their backbone, had deceived them.
At least 55 handloom workers had committed suicide under the YSRCP rule and the Chief Minister did not even console their bereaved family members, let alone pay any ex gratia, Lokesh alleged.
A loan waiver to the tune of Rs 110 crore was implemented during the TDP regime for the handloom workers and subsidies were extended to them on raw materials besides sanctioning loans to them, he said.
"Once we are back in power, TIDCO houses will be built for the handloom workers in urban areas and common working sheds with all necessary basic needs will be set up. This apart, 200 units of free power will be supplied to them," Lokesh said.
The two-wheeler workers wanted recognition from the state government and loans on subsidies. Lokesh assured them that all their demands would be conceded by the coming TDP-Jana Sena government in three months.
Alleging that two-wheeler mechanics too are the victims of Jagan, the TDP national general secretary said that training centres will be set up for them by the "coming TDP-Jana Sena government" and modern tools will also be supplied to them.