(Image source from: Thehansindia.com)

Centre not bothered about Vizag Steel Plant Agitations:- The Centre decided to privatize the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) which is popularly known as Vizag Steel Plant. The state's Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy penned a letter for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he explained about the protests and the agitations going on against the Centre's decision. The Centre is firm on their stand and the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a statement about the same in the Parliament. The Vizag Steel Plant will raise Rs 1000 crores after the sale of 22.19 acres of land owned.

The people of Vizag protested on the roads after the Centre announced their stand. The leaders of the opposition parties made enough noise but could not stop the process. Nirmala Sitharaman told that the privatisation will expand the direct and indirect employment for the Vizag Steel Plant. She even said that the state government cannot oppose their move as the state government owns no stake in the RINL. She even said that the government of Andhra Pradesh is consulted about the same earlier and their support is solicited in the matters. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the 100 percent divestment of Vizag Steel Plant.

The state headed for a bandh on Friday after the Vizag Steel Plant workers called up for an agitation. The state government along with all the political parties in Andhra Pradesh supported the bandh.