Visakhapatnam: A grand reception was accorded to Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy and his ministerial colleague Bhupatiraju Srinivasa Varma on their arrival from Visakhapatnam International Airport to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Thursday.
On their arrival, the first after Union Cabinet’s approval for Rs.11,440 crore revival package for Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, the corporate entity of VSP, a huge reception was extended to them. Along with employees, TDP State president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, Anakapalle MP CM Ramesh, city MLAs and trade union leaders were present. Varma, who represents Andhra Pradesh in the Union Cabinet as a Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel said collective effort led to convincing the Centre to retain RINL as a PSU.
During the journey of the convoy to the steel plant, three vehicles including one belonging to BJP leader and former MP GVL Narasimha Rao collided due to heavy congestion. However, none was injured, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu later enquired about the incident and to take steps to ensure proper bandobast during VVIP visits. Kumaraswamy said that before heading for Visakhapatnam, he visited Tirumala and sought the blessings from Lord Venkateswara for the bright future of RINL, which was achieved after ‘Visakha Ukku Andhrula Hakku’ agitation, which had claimed death of 16 agitators in police firing. Massive celebrations were seen all along the 14-km stretch covered by the Ministers’ convoy to reach the Hilltop Guesthouse at Ukkunagaram. The Ministers held talks with the management and the trade unions separately. A giant cutout of Kumaraswamy at Gajuwaka Circle became the focal point of celebrations. *Steel plant workers performed a ‘Ksheerabhishekam’ (milk anointment) on his cutout*, expressing gratitude for ensuring that the plant remained in the public sector hands. Huge banners at the venue read, *”Visakha Ukku Andhrula Hakku” (Visakhapatnam Steel is Andhra’s Right)—Thank You, Kumaraswamy!” were seen.
At Gajuwaka Circle BJP workers and trade union members* also honoured the Ministers with a massive garland and raised slogans in praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kumaraswamy and Srinivasa Varma, thanking them for the revival of the steel plant.
