Report from Com. K M Kumar Mangalam, Co- Convener Public Sector Co-ordination Committee
To commemorate 250th day of “Relay Hunger Fast” near Visakha Steel Plant entrance, Visakha Ukku Parirakshna Committee organised 25-hours hunger fast on 19-10-2021 with 250 members participating in it to keep pressure on the Modi Government to withdraw the decision of privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel plant.
To commemorate 250th day of “Relay Hunger Fast” near Visakha Steel Plant Entrance Arch, Visakha Ukku Parirakshna Committee organised 25-hours hunger fast on 19-10-2021 from 08.00AM with 250 members participating in it to keep pressure on the Modi Government to withdraw the decision of privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel plant.
Several leaders cutting across their political affiliations visited and expressed their solidarity to the struggle committee. 25 hours hunger fast was inaugurated by Shri GSN Raju, Vice Chancellor of Centurion University and Ex-Vice Chancellor of Andhra University and Shri KK Rao Ex-Director (Operations), Vizag Steel by hoisting the struggle flag. While addressing the gathering Sri GSN Raju appealed to the Government to rethink the decision of privatisation of Vizag Steel which is providing largescale employment.
Ex-Director (Operations) Sri KK Rao informed that during the last three decades Vizag Steel has continuously earned operational profits and there is no need for privatisation of this plant. He requested the Government to withdraw the decision of selling this prestigious Steel Plant. Struggle Committee Chairman Ch. Narasinga Rao also addressed the gathering.
To extend the solidarity several dignitaries visited the pandal. Sri MVV Satyanarayana, Member of Parliament and Sri Tippala Nagireddy, Shri Karnam Dharmasree, Shri Golla Baburao, Members of Legislative Assembly of the ruling YSRCP party of Andhra Pradesh came. From the opposition Telugu Desam Party Ex-Minister Sri Bandaru Satyannaraya Murthy and Ex- MLA Sri Palla Srinivas extended their support. Sri Tippala Gurumurthi Reddy and Sri Chinthalapudi Venkataramayya, Ex-MLAs from Congress party, Com. JV Satyannarayana Murthy of CPI, Shri Kona Tatarao of Janasena Party, Shri B Kalyanram of Republican Party, Com. OV Ramana of CPIM and several others signed the register and extended their support.
Sri Krishna Rao (82year old) Ex-Principal of ITI (majority of his students are working in Steel Plant) along with Com. KM Kumar Mangalam, Co- Convener Public Sector Co-ordination Committee and Com. RKSV Kumar, CITU City President participated in the concluding session on 20-10-2021 and gave lime juice to all the 250 participants who participated in 25 hours hunger fast against the privatisation of Visakha Steel plant on the next day at 09.00AM.
Dear Comrade Kumarmangalam,
It is really heartening that you all have been able to resist privatisation by united fight. It has come out in media that Tatas’ are having their eyes on Visakhapatanam Steel Plant. Tatas’ will try their best to split your unity by making use of their “good employer” image. This complete fase image Tatas’ have carefully cultivated over the years. In reality they are just like any other capitalists, ruthlessly pursuing profile at any cost. Unfortunately many workers and even some leaders fall prey to that false propaganda and let their guard down. This has been recently experienced by Air India workers, to their peril. I am sure all of you experienced comrades will not call in that trap, and will continue to intensify your struggle.
Here is wishing you success in your struggle.
Workers’ unity Zindabad !