Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy Addresses Vizag Steel Plant Worker Reinstatement
In Bengaluru, Karnataka, Union Minister of Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, responded to allegations made by Congress General KC Venugopal regarding the termination of 4,200 contract workers from the Vizag Steel Plant. Venugopal claimed the workers were unfairly dismissed and that the plant was set to be sold. Kumaraswamy refuted these claims, stating that the workers were reinstated on September 29, just two days after their termination on September 27.
Kumaraswamy emphasized that the issue was resolved promptly and criticized Venugopal for politicizing the matter. He clarified that Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) had reinstated the workers and was working to restore their labor passes and biometric data. The Minister assured that all parties involved agreed to maintain the current gate pass system and facilities.
Furthermore, Kumaraswamy mentioned his visit to the Vizag Steel Plant, where he promised to address the workers’ concerns after discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. He dismissed allegations of the plant’s privatization, highlighting the improved management and increased market value of public sector units (PSUs).
Earlier, KC Venugopal had accused the government of planning to privatize the plant, calling for the reinstatement of the workers and condemning the alleged anti-labor actions. He urged both Central and State governments to take corrective measures.
Doubts Revealed
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a member of the government in India who is in charge of a specific department or ministry, like education or health. They help make important decisions for the country.
HD Kumaraswamy -: H.D. Kumaraswamy is an Indian politician who has served in various government roles. He is known for his work in the political party Janata Dal (Secular).
Vizag Steel Plant -: The Vizag Steel Plant is a large factory in Visakhapatnam, India, where steel is made. It is an important place for jobs and industry in the region.
Reinstatement -: Reinstatement means giving someone their job back after they have been removed or fired. In this context, it means the workers at the Vizag Steel Plant got their jobs back.
Congress General KC Venugopal -: KC Venugopal is a leader in the Indian National Congress, a major political party in India. He often speaks on behalf of the party on various issues.
PSU -: PSU stands for Public Sector Undertaking. These are companies owned by the government of India, like the Vizag Steel Plant, which provide important services or products.
Privatization -: Privatization is when the government sells a company or service it owns to private individuals or businesses. This can change how the company is run and who benefits from it.
