Amaravati : The NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has firmly ruled out the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), making its position clear in the State Legislative Council on Thursday. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, along with other ministers, dismissed the allegations made by the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) that VSP was on the verge of privatisation.
In a statement, Pawan Kalyan, Industry Minister T.G. Bharath, and Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu assured that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was categorically opposed to any plans to privatise Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), the corporate entity overseeing VSP.
The ministers strongly rejected the accusations from the opposition that the steel plant was being privatised. Minister Bharath referred to a clear statement made by Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy, who had already ruled out privatisation of VSP. Bharath further questioned the opposition, asking what more clarification they needed on the issue.
Pawan Kalyan, addressing the House, said that during his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he had explicitly requested that the steel plant should not be privatised.
A heated debate ensued between the treasury and opposition benches over the privatisation issue. Members from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), along with its allies Jana Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accused the YSRCP government of initiating moves towards privatisation when they were in power.
Leader of Opposition Botcha Satyanarayana demanded that the House pass a resolution urging the Centre not to privatise the VSP. In response, Minister Atchannaidu questioned the need for a resolution, pointing out that there was no question of privatisation in the first place.
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had visited the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on July 11, where he also categorically ruled out the privatisation of the plant. He suggested that there could be a possibility of reviving the plant, but a final decision would rest with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During his visit, Kumaraswamy reassured everyone, stating, “Who told you we are going to privatise? There is no question of privatisation. Before I announce anything, PM Modi’s permission is required. I have to convince him,” he said, while visiting the plant along with Union Minister of State for Steel B. Srinivasa Verma.
The Andhra Pradesh state government welcomed the Union Minister’s statements. State Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh expressed his gratitude for the government’s position, saying that Kumaraswamy’s categorical ruling out of privatisation brought immense relief to the people of Andhra Pradesh.
Minister Lokesh thanked the Union Minister for “upholding the sentiments of Andhra Pradesh and safeguarding the VSP.”