VSP displaced persons to hold massive public meet on February 8

VSP displaced persons to rally on February 8, addressing land loss and job promises unmet over 35 years.

A large public rally will be organised by the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) displaced persons, at the Lanka Grounds in Gajuwaka, at 2 p.m. on February 8.

The poster for the proposed public meeting, being organised by the Steel Plant Nirvasitula Contract Labout Union was released at a media conference at the Public Library in Dwarakanagar, on Monday.

Justice V. Gopala Gowda, former Judge of the Supreme Court, former DGP J. Purnachandra Rao, former MP Vadde Shobanadeeswara Rao, S. Kota MLC Raghu Raju, and senior journalist VV Ramana Murthy are scheduled to address the public meeting.

Union adviser Y. Mahadev said that the family members of the displaced persons, who gave up their lands for the establishment of the steel plant, are still waiting for the past 35 years to be employed at plant. They are leading miserable lives due to lack of employment and loss of land. He wondered what was the objection of the government to return the lands to the displaced persons. The speakers at the public meeting will highlight these issues, he added.

Nirvasitula Sangam leader Pithani Bhaskara Rao said that 26,000 acres were acquired from landowners with the promise of jobs to eligible members in each family.

The sangam leaders called upon the people to attend the public meeting in large numbers and make it an overwhelming success.