The Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has reportedly assured the Visakhapatnam Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee (VUPPC) that the Centre will provide financial assistance of ₹10,000 crore by January 15, 2025, to support the revival of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (RINL-VSP).
VUPPC representatives J. Ayodhya Ram, V. Srinivasa Rao, D. Adinarayana and Mantri Rajasekhar met Mr. Kumaraswamy in the national capital on Wednesday, requesting his urgent intervention to address the steel plant’s financial crisis
“The Steel Ministry had originally asked the Union Ministry of Finance to provide at least ₹18,000 crore to VSP, but they are now trying to provide at least ₹10,000 crore by January 15,” said Mr. Ayodhya Ram.
The VUPPC delegation also submitted a representation of their issues and demands to the Union Minister, reported The Hindu.
“The most serious and grave concern in RINL-VSP is the non-payment of wages to employees and contract workers for a few months in spite of their best efforts to cooperate with the management in improving production levels.” We have brought this issue to the notice of the Union Minister and have explained the gravity of the problem to him,” Mr. Ayodhya Ram said.
This apart, an amount of nearly ₹900 crore is outstanding towards PF Trust among other Trusts from RINL, which is a serious concern for retired employees and pensioners, he added.