Visakhapatnam: Central government is expected to announce a financial package of Rs 10,300 crore to provide immediate relief to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), ruling Telugu Desam Party state president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao disclosed on X on Thursday.“It is a matter of joy that the union cabinet has approved the release of Rs 10,300 crore under the Revival Package, with the special initiative of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. Heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the CM for once again giving life to the slogan “Visakha Ukku Andhrula Hakku,” Srinivasa Rao wrote.Sources indicate that union steel minister H.D. Kumaraswamy may announce details regarding the relief during the coming days.The announcement has not enthused VSP employees, who remain concerned about the delay in payment of their salaries. Salary payments have been irregular for them since September 2024.On Sankranti, VSP employees staged a shirtless protest at the main gate, demanding their pending salaries.“We have been hearing reports about the centre announcing aid of Rs 10,000–11,000 crore for VSP. Some suggest it will be in bonds. Others say it will be given as debt. There is no clarity. While the TD-led state government has pushed for funds, just sanctioning money is not enough to revive the plant. Merging VSP with SAIL and allocating captive mines is essential for a sustainable revival,” said J. Ayodhya Ramu, vice president of the Steel Workers Federation of India (SWFI) and president, Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee.
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