CM hails Centre's ₹11,440-cr package for steel plant

Citing VSP's sentimental value rooted in the slogan 'Visakha Ukku - Andhrula Hakku', Naidu exhorts employees to strive for profitability

- K KALYAN KRISHNA KUMAR @Vijayawada

CHIEF Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has affirmed that saving Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) is the State's responsibility, citing its sentimental value rooted in the slogan 'Visakha Ukku - Andhrula Hakku'.

Addressing the media on Friday, he welcomed the allocation of ₹11,440 crore special package for VSP, and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy for their support to Andhra Pradesh.

Highlighting the NDA's commitment to the steel plant, he recalled how ₹1,650 crore in equity was allocated during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure in 1996 to rescue VSP. He criticised the previous YSRCP government's neglect of VSP over the last five years. Reiterating his election promise, he said VSP will be saved without privatisation, and detailed how his government secured the revival package within seven months of taking office.