Production in progress at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, in Visakhapatnam. File.
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak
The Human Rights Forum has condemned what it called the government’s renewed push to privatise the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).
The HRF members said that the recent call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) from private agencies to take over operation and maintenance of 34 critical departments, including blast furnace systems, slag granulation plants, mines, BF cooling and furnace equipment and charging units, is a clear indication towards ‘dismantling the public sector character of the VSP’.
“This is yet again a brazen attempt to hand over a national asset, built through the struggles and sacrifices of lakhs of people, to private cronies at throwaway prices. It is nothing but a plunder. It is akin to selling away the VSP piece by piece,” alleged HRF’s A.P. and TS coordinator V.S. Krishna on Friday.
Handing over such critical operations to private contractors is not only “anti-worker, but also unlawful”. The Factories Act and various safety regulations clearly mandate permanent, trained and experienced workers in hazardous units. Outsourcing these functions undermines safety, puts workers’ lives at risk, and endangers surrounding communities, said K.V. Jagannadha Rao, HRF A.P. State president.
The HRF members also spoke about how thousands of contract workers at the VSP have been terminated and many regular workers and highly qualified officers have been eased out. “This is not just about jobs being lost. Visakha Steel is not merely an industrial unit. It is the living embodiment of a historic and sustained people’s struggle. Thousands of families gave up land and livelihoods and 32 persons had lost their lives to make it a reality,” said Mr. Krishna.
“The doublespeak of the representatives of the ruling parties is not acceptable and their brazen support for the upcoming steel plant of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), is betrayal to the people of the State,” said Mr. Krishna.
The HRF demanded immediate withdrawal of all privatisation plans for the VSP and reinstatement of contract and other workers.
Published – August 23, 2025 08:13 am IST
