CPI(M) Urges Centre and State to Halt VSP Privatisation Plans

Fast Summary:

• CPI(M) Demands on Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP):

– CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao urged the State and Central governments to stop plans to privatize VSP.
– He demanded immediate cancellation of the Expression of Interest (EOI) issued for handing over some plant departments to private parties.
– Key demands included allocating iron ore resources for VSP and reinstating 5,000 contract employees laid off earlier.

• Criticism on Handling Protests:

– Rao accused the current government of suppressing agitation efforts by employees, denying them permission to demonstrate.

• Political Stance on Privatization:

– He alleged that most parties except BJP opposed VSP privatization under previous governments but now TDP and JSP have withdrawn support.

• GST Comments:

– CPI(M) criticized the multi-slab GST structure introduced earlier,questioning its impact on state revenue.- Rao called out CM Nara Chandrababu Naidu to explain how ₹8,000 crore losses due to GST reforms will be addressed.

• Land Allocations in Visakhapatnam:

– He raised concerns about lands allotted cheaply by the State government for corporates and MNCs without substantial follow-up in operations or job creation.
– Demanded a white paper outlining land allocations, investment status, and resultant jobs created.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The protests against privatization at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant underscore broader debates over public sector versus private sector management. The demands raised by CPI(M)-such as allocation of iron ore resources and reinstatement of laid-off workers-highlight concerns about balancing economic efficiency with workforce stability. if privatization proceeds unchecked or creates disproportionate impacts on local communities, it could spark larger disruptions given public reliance on such flagship industries.Conversely, effective stewardship of these plants might address fiscal challenges tied to resource utilization inefficiencies.Similarly, criticisms surrounding GST reforms stem from their meaningful implications for state budgets like Andhra Pradesh’s-a loss amounting heavily in revenue is non-trivial considering progress commitments already strained.Transparent dialog between policy creators (Union/Financial reform bodies). Long-term accountability/job-link promises corporate surroundings corporations least becoming deliverable gapsland equitable.Disclosure effort