AP bandh against RINL privatisation peaceful

Visakhapatnam: THE Statewide bandh called by the all political parties and trade unions barring BJP and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) in protest against the Centre's decision to privatise Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) evoked a partial response on Friday.

The decision to support the bandh by the ruling YSR Congress Party and the withdrawal of operations by the APSRTC impacted normal life. Theatres remained closed as truckers' bodies supported the strike call. Most of the shops and establishments downed their shutters as attendance in the banks, LIC and insurance companies, where the Left party unions wield lot of influence among the employees, was below normal.

A spokesman for RINL, the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), told Bizz Buzz that almost 70 to 75 per cent employees reported to work. The executives had almost 100 per cent attendance. Most of the contract workers remained absent. VSP has 16,000 contract workers and 16,500 employees and executives. The spokesman said all the mills had normal operation.

Due to Rasta Roko organised by the Ukku Parirakshana Porata Samiti at Kurmannapalem junction which leads to the the steel plant, factory workers going towards Brandix India Apparel City (BIAC), Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) and Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (VSEZ)-Duvvada, got delayed for sometime.

"The bandh called by all the political parties and unions except BJP and BMS against strategic sale of RINL has evoked spontaneous response.

Going by the phenomenal response, we hope the Centre would reconsider its decision," RINL recognised union president J Ayodhyaram said.

"We will continue our agitation with renewed vigour as RINL has to remain in the public sector going by the sentiments of the people," CITU State president Ch Narsinga Rao said. The plant was set up in 1971 after Visakha Ukku Andhrula Hakku agitation which claimed 36 lives in police firing.

Operations at NTPC Simhhadri Super Thermal Power Plant remained normal. There was mild tension when INTUC activists staged a protest for sometime. HPCL Visakh Refinery and Hindustan Shipyard Ltd reported normal attendance. Cargo handling operations remained normal at Visakhapatnam Port and Gangavaram Port. "There was no impact as most of the cargo handling is being done under mechanised environment," Visakhapatnam Stevedores' Association president K Krishna Kumar said. Operations at Krishnapatnam and Kakinada ports also remained normal.

Fishing operations at Machilipatnam, Bhavanapadu, Kakinadaand Visakhapatnam was hit as the fishermen bodies decided to support the bandh to register their protest against RINL privatisation.