Unions welcome court order to esolve RINL coking coal crisis

Visakhapatnam: Several trade union leaders of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant have hailed the order of Andhra Pradesh High Court to the authorities to immediately resolve the crisis arising out of strike by workers at Adani Gangavaram Port Private Ltd (AGPPL).

In response to a petition filed by Durga Prasad, secretary of Steel Executives' Association (SEA) asked the government officials and Gangavaram Port management to take steps for supply of coal stuck at the port. The workers and displaced families are agitating since April 12 demanding increase in wages to a minimum Rs 36,000 or one-time settlement of Rs 50 lakh per head.

Due to the protest, VSP is being operated at minimum capacity. Only one blast furnace is at work as two other blast furnaces have been closed for want of raw material.

"We welcome the court order and hope that steps will be taken without further dilly-dallying in mitigating the suffering of RINL," Visakha Steel Employees' Congress president Neerukonda Ramachandra Rao, told Bizz Buzz. Leaders of CITU, AITUC and other unions have also welcomed the order.