Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Should Continue to Run in Public Sector, Says POW Leader

M. Lakshmi, state general secretary of the Progressive Organization of Women (POW), demanded that the newly elected central and state governments implement the election promises made to North Andhra.

She was speaking during a relay strike carried out by workers from various sectors, civil society organisations and others at the Gandhi memorial near GVMC on the 1,262nd day of the strike to protest against the central government’s decision to strategically sell the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).

Ms. Lakshmi sought implementation of the judgment delivered in the past by Justice Narasimha Reddy of the AP High Court of Merged Andhra Pradesh. She recalled that when the then government failed to implement the orders of the Supreme Court, contempt of court cases were filed against it. Describing VSP as the pride of the Telugu people, she demanded its continuation in the public sector.

Among those who spoke were POW Visakhapatnam district president S. Venkata Lakshmi, district vice-president K. Balanagamma and general secretary Rohini.