CPI(M) Slams TDP MPs for Meeting Union Minister on Behalf of AMNS over VSP

CPI(M) leaders in Visakhapatnam staged a protest against TDP MPs from Andhra Pradesh for allegedly working in favor of Arcelor Mittal-Nippon Steel (AMNS) instead of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The protest was sparked by the MPs' meeting with Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on behalf of AMNS. The CPI(M) leaders criticized the MPs for not fighting for the VSP, which has struggled for decades without proper captive mines.

In a significant development, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) leaders in Visakhapatnam staged a protest against TDP (Telugu Desam Party) MPs from Andhra Pradesh. The protest was sparked by the TDP MPs' meeting with Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on behalf of Arcelor Mittal-Nippon Steel (AMNS) instead of the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).

CPI(M) Visakhapatnam district secretary M. Jaggunaidu criticized the TDP MPs, including M. Sribharat, for allegedly working in favor of AMNS rather than fighting for the VSP. The VSP has been struggling for decades without proper captive mines, despite the Centre's announcement of a disinvestment proposal. Jaggunaidu expressed surprise that the MPs were not advocating for the VSP, a public sector undertaking (PSU) that has faced significant challenges.

The Centre has provided captive mines to all government and private steel plants except the VSP, according to Jaggunaidu. This has resulted in increased production costs for the VSP. The CPI(M) leader also highlighted that a total of 67 Communist, Independent MPs and MLAs had resigned in the past to secure local support for RINL-VSP, but the current elected representatives of the NDA government are seen as destabilizing the VSP.

The protest saw the participation of several CPI(M) district executive committee members, including B. Jagan, V. Krishna Rao, R. K. S. V. Kumar, P. Mani, M. Subba Rao, USN Raju, Y. Raju, GVN Chalapathi, G. Apparao, and P. Venkata Reddy.

This development underscores the ongoing debate over the allocation of resources and support for state-owned enterprises versus private companies in the steel industry. The protest highlights the need for transparency and fairness in decision-making processes that affect the economic well-being of PSUs and the communities they serve.

References:
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/mps-from-state-working-for-amns-instead-of-vsp-cpim/article69924914.ece