BSP Warns of Adverse Effects from VSP Privatization on Marginalized Communities
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Visakhapatnam, Dec 1 (NationPress) The National Coordinator of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and MP Ramji Gautam declared on Sunday that the move to privatize the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) poses a significant threat to the interests of Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Minorities.
He emphasized that the BSP is dedicated to advocating for the safeguarding of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and intends to highlight this issue in Parliament.
While speaking at the Mahadharna organized by the BSP at VSP, Gautam pledged to represent the concerns of employees and those opposed to privatization in Parliament. "Let’s unite to protect the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The BSP is here to support you. Our party is the only one that genuinely adheres to the Indian Constitution. The BJP, however, is neglecting constitutional values, fostering divisive ideologies, and has brazenly put 23 public sector enterprises up for sale, including the esteemed Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, under the pretense of debt and financial losses,” he stated.
The MP cautioned that transferring control of the plant to private entities would jeopardize the livelihoods of marginalized groups.
"Similar to the fate of BSNL, which has been stripped of its resources, the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant will also face deprivation, particularly of captive mines. Divesting steel plant assets valued at Rs 4 lakh crore for a mere Rs 25,000 crore will result in the elimination of reservations and government jobs. Approximately 33,000 employees are at risk. The BSP will not stay silent regarding this issue. The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has the capacity to generate profits within six months if provided with captive mines,” he added.
Dr. Jujjavarapu Purnachandra Rao, the State Coordinator of the party and a retired DGP, remarked that the government, which had allocated land to farmers in Amaravati, is now trying to privatize the lands designated for the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, a move he described as cruel.
"The process of privatization disproportionately impacts the poor, especially the SCs, STs, and BCs. Don't the migrant leaders, who have long exploited North Andhra, feel a sense of shame? Will they not raise their voices? Individuals like MP Bharat, the effective CM Lokesh, and their connections, such as Balakrishna, his sister and former MP Purandeswari, and the CM who staged dramatics during Cyclone Hudhud, must now come forward and speak out,” he remarked.
"It is amusing to think that Jagan and Chandrababu, who manage their own thriving businesses, cannot figure out how to save the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant from financial distress. The plant has contributed Rs 55,000 crore to the central government through taxes and dividends. Yet, successive administrations have failed to protect it by not allocating captive iron ore and coal mines. The BSP stands firmly against this, and we will resist vigorously,” the BSP leader concluded.
B. Paramjyothy, the BSP State President, affirmed the party's commitment to defending the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant at any cost.
