Former information commissioner Madabhushi Sridhar said the center had no right to privatize the Visakhapatnam (VSP) steel mill without consulting one of the stakeholders. He spoke after opening a seminar organized by the State Committee of the Indian Trade Union Federation (IFTU) here in Peda Gantyada, Gajuwaka on Sunday.
Mr. Sridhar mocked the center’s move, saying that a dog would be classified as “insane” in order to kill it. Likewise, the center labeled public sector units (PSUs) “loss-making” to hand over to companies.
He claimed that those who lack human values had gained power and would ride on the backs of the common people. He asked the government how justified it was to refuse to provide financial aid to PSUs while it expanded lakhs from millions of rupees to companies. He claimed that it had become common for rulers to lose power supplies and then put them up for sale. He claimed Modi-Shah was the least disturbed, despite a lakh farmer protesting in Delhi. He called for joint struggles to protect the VSP.
Kolla Rammohan Rao, who had participated as a student leader in the struggles to found VSP, said the facility had been reached after several casualties and that it was unfortunate that there was a proposal for privatization.
Mr. Rammohan Rao recalled that the State Assembly had passed a unanimous decision in those days. The agitation, which was started by students, was later accompanied by all parts of the people. Although 32 people lost their lives in police shots, the agitation was not stopped. MLAs and MPs resigned in protest at the time, he added.
The Vice President of the IFTU State, M. Venkateswarlu, presided.