When the Central Government announced its plan of privatising the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, it didn’t sit well with anyone in the state, as the steel plant is a symbol of hope to the people of Vizag. Many battles were won for the steel plant, and it’s a monument for the people of the coastal city.
Every political party, including the YSRCP, have raised their voices against the privatisation of the plant. Chief Minsiter YS Jagan Mohan Reddy even wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, requesting the Central Government to reconsider its decision. However, there hasn’t been a response from the Centre on the topic so far, emphasizing that the Centre continues to want to privatise the plant.
As a result, continuous protests are being carried out, at regular intervals, with a 2-day protest now being planned. Employees of the steel plant are participating in the strike on a call given by the committee spearheading the movement against privatisation. Leaders of various trade unions staged a protest at the main gate of the plant and claimed that all 25,000 employees of the plant are participating in the strike. Visakhapatnam bandh is part of a two-day nationwide strike, called for by a joint forum of central trade unions to protest against central government policies. They have also said that they would continue their protest until the Centre reconsiders its decision.