CPM opposes allotment of VSP lands to POSCO

Vijayawada: CPM State secretary P Madhu wrote a letter to Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday urging the latter to pass a resolution in the State Assembly against allotment of Vizag Steel Plant lands to POSCO Steel company.

In a press release, Madhu said efforts were being made to privatise the Vizag Steel Plant and handover it to POSCO company. He said the Vizag Steel Plant designs department had identified 4,000 acres land to be allocated to POSCO company. He suggested that the POSCO Steel company can construct a plant in Kadapa district.

He alleged that the Union government was proposing the joint venture with a view to privatise it in future. Madhu said Vizag steel plant is the biggest project in the State with a turnover of Rs 20,000 crore and it is 100 per cent Union government industry. He pointed out that 33,000 employees and workers are working in the steel plant. He pointed out that the State got the Vizag Steel Plant after a prolonged struggle which began in the State in 1966 and after 32 people sacrificed their lives.

He said 22,000 acres land in 68 villages was given to the government at a low price for setting up the plant. He urged the State government not to allow privatization of the Vizag Steel Plant at any cost. The steel plant lands must not be allocated to POSCO Steel company. He appealed to Chief Minister Jagan to put pressure on the Union government to prevent allotment of Vizag Steel Plant lands to POSCO Steel company.