Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh):The agitation against the planned privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant intensified with workers' unions sitting on a hunger strike.
Steel plant workers' unions began a hunger strike at the Kurmannapalem gate in Visakhapatnam.
CPI national secretary K Narayana, Andhra Pradesh minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao and leaders of various labour unions expressed support for the protest.
"There is a responsibility to protect the Visakha Steel Plant, which is being privatised to plunder thousands of acres of land. The state government has to bring a law - that if land was allotted to any industry they would not be able to sell it. It is not enough for the state government to just pass a resolution in the Assembly. If we protect the steel plant it is equal to saving the prestige of the state," CPI National Secretary Narayana said.
"The industry has a net profit of Rs 6,000 crore since its starting stage. Losses may occur due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ultimately, privatisation is not right at all. We won't allow POSCO (South Korean steel manufacturer) in Visakhapatnam," Minister Rao said.
Read:All-party protest against Vizag Steel Plant privatisation