AP CM opposes SAIL's take over of VSP

Visakhapatnam, May 20 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today opposed the proposal of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to take over the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).

Addressing the meeting where the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid foundation stone for the expansion of the steel plant, Dr Reddy said VSP was achieved by the people of Andhra Pradesh by laying down their lives in a massive agitation.

He alleged that when the steel plant was in financial problems, the SAIL refused to take over the responsibility of setting things right and now, when the workers through their efforts brought profits to the organisation, SAIL was trying to take over the plant.

Dr Reddy urged Dr Singh to ensure that SAIL's move was shelved.

He also appealed to the plant workers and all concerned to oppose the move.

Union ministers Ram Vilas Paswan, Akhilesh Das, Dasari Narayana Rao, T Subbirami Reddy, State Commercial Tax Minister K Ramakrishna, several MPs and MLAs took part in the programme.

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