Botsa vows to fight against VSP privatisation

Leader of the Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, Botsa Satyanarayana, has vowed to fiercely oppose any move to privatize the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (Visakhapatnam Steel Plant). Speaking to the media on Sunday, Botsa emphasized the plant’s significance, asserting that it is “not just a regional asset; it is a matter of deep sentiment for the entire state of Andhra Pradesh.” He further declared, “We will go to any lengths to ensure it remains under public ownership for the benefit of our people.”
Botsa underscored the historical importance of the steel plant, recalling the sacrifices made during its establishment. “The sacrifices of 32 individuals and the efforts of leaders like Tenneti Viswanatham are etched into the history of this plant. Farmers contributed 32,000 acres of land to build this plant. It symbolises their trust and faith in the government,” he stated. The steel plant, which underwent a significant expansion in 2008 with an investment of ?11,000 crore, is central to the region’s identity. Botsa criticized the current NDA government’s push towards privatization and invoked the past efforts of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to resist such attempts. “In the past, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy visited the plant, engaged with workers’ unions, and wrote to the central government to halt privatisation efforts. We will continue to fight for the plant’s future,” he noted.
Expressing concern over the uncertainty surrounding the plant’s future, Botsa called for transparency from the central and state governments. “We demand that both the central and state governments come clean on their intentions. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister must address this issue publicly,” he urged. Warning of the consequences of privatization, Botsa declared that it would be a betrayal of public trust.
“This issue transcends politics; it’s about public sentiment and self-respect. We will not let the government sacrifice the plant’s future for their own interests,” he affirmed.