No interest in taking part in RINL privatisation: Adani

Visakhapatnam While denying the charge of certain trade unions that the Adani Group was interested in privatisation of RashtriyaIspat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, the management of the private port expressed its anguish over a recent attempt by a section of employees led by some unions to barge into the port premises in protest against delay in handing over cargo meant for the plant.

In a clarification, the Adani Gangavaram Port said: "For the past few days some of the unions belonging to RINL (Vizag Steel Plant) are alleging that Adani Gangavaram Port is not delivering coal and limestone to Vizag Steel Plant, which is being imported by them through Adani Gangavaram Port."

The rejoinder stated: "In this connection, from Adani Group we would like to clarify the following: Gangavaram Port is committed to doing business in a responsible manner and to building trust with all stakeholders. As a responsible corporate entity, we have been providing cargo handling services to RINL despite delayed payments and our outstanding dues piling up over the past six months to a huge amount."

"Since Gangavaram port considers RINL as a key customer, we have continued our services despite them going in the direction of becoming unsustainable. As RINL is a respected PSU, we request its leaders to honour their promises to clear the dues and ensure that cargo handling remains sustainable with regard to the port operations,"rejoinder added.

The port management referring to the allegations made by the unions declared that, "We wish to categorically state that they are untrue and that the Adani Group has no interest in the privatisation process of RINL."

The port management requested the unions to refrain from gathering outside the port premises as it not only disrupts operations in the entire industrial area and the port but also causes traffic chaos that affects members of the public.