Palla Srinivasa Rao meets Union Steel Minister Kumaraswamy; discusses key Visakhapatnam Steel Plant issues, receives positive assurance*

Visakhapatnam, March 22:* Telugu Desam Party (TDP) State president and Gajuwaka MLA, Mr. Palla Srinivasa Rao, met Union Minister for Steel, Mr. H.D. Kumaraswamy, in RINL Guest House and held comprehensive discussions on a range of critical issues pertaining to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, eliciting a positive response from the Centre.

During the meeting, Mr. Srinivasa Rao conveyed his deep concern over the closure of Vimal Vidyalaya in Ukkunagaram, noting that the abrupt halt of operations, owing to the non-renewal of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), had left teaching and non-teaching staff in acute financial distress while jeopardising the academic prospects of students. He urged immediate intervention to safeguard employment and ensure the prompt disbursal of pending salaries.

He further highlighted the plight of R-card holders—local residents who had surrendered land for the establishment of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)—stating that administrative constraints were denying them rightful employment opportunities. Calling the situation inequitable, he pressed for the removal of such bottlenecks and sought priority for locals in contract employment.

The MLA also drew attention to the longstanding land dispute between Sanivada village in Gajuwaka mandal and the Steel Plant authorities. He proposed that lands identified through joint surveys be utilised for rehabilitation purposes, alongside the creation of community infrastructure such as a temple and a library, to ensure fair rehabilitation of affected residents. He underscored the necessity of arriving at a permanent resolution to the issue.Responding to the concerns, Mr. Kumaraswamy assured that the matters would be examined in coordination with the concerned authorities and addressed at the earliest.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao, speaking on the occasion, reiterated that addressing public grievances remained central to his political agenda. He added that under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the coalition government was committed to elevating local issues to the national stage and securing lasting solutions