Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief YS Sharmila has criticized the central government’s announcement of a ₹11,440 crore financial package for the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. She stated that the package offers only temporary relief and does not address the plant’s long-term challenges.
Sharmila’s Key Concerns
- Allocating ₹11,440 crore alone will not revive the Vizag Steel Plant.
- She accused the central government of failing to respect the self-esteem of Andhra Pradesh residents.
- The financial package is inadequate to fully alleviate the plant’s financial distress.
Proposed Permanent Solutions
- Sharmila emphasized that merging the Vizag Steel Plant with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is the only sustainable solution.
- Allocating captive mines for the plant and expanding its capacity to 20 million tonnes is crucial for its long-term success, she added.
Doubt on Central Promises
YS Sharmila expressed skepticism over the central government’s promise to make Vizag Steel the number one steel plant in two years. She compared it to “fooling the people of Andhra Pradesh with empty assurances.”
Temporary Relief vs Permanent Solution
While the financial package provides short-term respite, Sharmila pointed out the lack of any concrete long-term strategies to resolve the plant’s issues.
