Will Kumaraswamy fulfill Modi's dreams of privatising Salem plant: Jairam

Visveswaraya Iron and Steel Plant was earlier shut down

Visveswaraya Iron and Steel Plant is close to Bellary

After having secured victory in Mandya, former Chief Minister of Karnataka H.D Kumaraswamy from the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) was also inducted as the Minister of Steel and Heavy Industry in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Indian National Congress (INC) General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh posed a series of questions to H.D Kumarasamy in light of this development.  “In 2019, the previous administration decided to disinvest in the Salem Steel Plant. A massive rally of almost 2000 people soon took to the streets to oppose the privatisation of this special steel unit. The rally consisted of workers, their family members, and many farmers who had sacrificed their land for the construction of the plant. The plant covers an area of almost 25 villages, 18 or 19 of which have disappeared since the plant was built. Workers alleged that the plant was being intentionally mismanaged, and that the leadership of Steel Authority of India Limited had been reduced to a mouthpiece for the ruling party. The Centre has been unable to sell the plant so far. Will Mr. Kumaraswamy fulfill Pradhan Mantri’s dreams of privatising this plant,” Jairam enquired. 

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Jairam also had questions pertaining to the Vizag Steel Plant, Nagarnar Steel Plant, Visveswaraya Iron and Steel Plant of SAIL at Bhadravati and the Alloy Steel Plant in Durgapur. Whether Kumaraswamy taking charge as the Minister of Steel will result in the reversal of the shutdown of the Visveswaraya Iron and Steel Plant which is close to Bellary remains to be seen.

Here is our statement on public sector steel plants, raising 5 questions for the new Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy pic.twitter.com/TVfZAooAnn

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 11, 2024