YSRCP demands Rs one cr compensation for VSP affected families

Visakhapatnam: YSRCP leaders demanded an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased and a job for one member of each affected family of the tragic accident that took place at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).

Consoling the accident victims and their family members on Tuesday, YSRCP MLC Botcha Satyanarayana said the party is demanding compensation of Rs 1 crore, as provided by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy during the LG Polymers gas leak tragedy. “Also, we demand a job offer for a family member of each deceased worker along, with Rs 1 crore compensation. Both the government and management’s negligence is evident in the accident,” the MLC said.

Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy will visit the city to offer condolences to the VSP accident victims, their family members and will hold discussions with trade union leaders regarding the tragic incident, the MLC informed.

The government has been moving steadily towards privatisation and has so far reduced the workforce by nearly 6,000 employees in phases, besides exerting pressure for voluntary retirement, Satyanarayana expressed concern.

The Centre has made its intentions clear to gradually shut down operations and hand over VSP to its favoured group, and the decisions taken so far supports the stand. “This level of tragedy is the result of sheer negligence on the part of the management,” the MLC criticised. .

Stating that the YSRCP leaders will stand with the workers and fight for their cause, the MLC said the government should take complete responsibility for the eight persons who lost their lives at the plant, while some of the victims are battling for their lives in the hospital with over 90 per cent burn injuries.

YSRCP leader K Kannababu said that Lokesh’s remarks against trade union leaders were uncalled for and inappropriate. YSRCP Visakhapatnam district president KK Raju, former IT Minister Gudivada Amarnath, VSP trade union leader Mantri Rajashekhar among others, were present.