Andhra Pradesh Bandh against Privatization of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant

Andhra Pradesh, 05 March: All political parties including the YSR Congress Party (except the BJP) participated bandh against Privatization of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant across AP state

Entire state of AP observed a complete shutdown on Friday in protest the proposed privatization of Central government public sector undertaking Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) a Navratna company under the ministry of steel.

Government offices, commercial establishments, cinema theatres, educational institutions and universities remained closed.
The highways wore a deserted look, as the private bus transport operators, truck operators’ associations and autorickshaw drivers’ unions also extended support to the bandh call.
Buses belonging to Road Transport Authority (RTA) were off the, as the employees also staged dharnas in front of the bus depots to express their solidarity with the agitating employees of the steel plant.
RTC services were stalled till 1 pm in protest against the privatization of the VSP.
RTC employees will resume duties post-lunch by wearing black badges.
We have ensured that all the emergency health services will run as usual,” said Transport minister Venkatramaiah.
At Maddilapalem junction in Visakhapatnam, the YSRCP organized a human chain.
YSR Congress Party general secretary and MP V Vijay Sai Reddy, state minister Avanti Srinivas, local parliamentarian M V Satyanarayana and other party leaders took part in the agitation.
Activists of the CPI, CPI (M) and various trade unions also participated in the human chain program.
In Anantapur, hundreds of CPI (M) activists held a dharna in front of the RTC bus depot demanding that the Centre withdraw its plan to privatize the steel plant.
In Vijayawada, the Telugu Desam Party and the Left parties took out a procession from Lenin Centre demanding withdrawal of privatization move.
Asaduddin Owaisi, MP, AIMIM also supports the bandh against privatization of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant