Despite the opposition from the people and all political parties, Union Government is going ahead with the Privatization of the Vishaka Steel Plant. The last week, the government has issued separate notifications seeking a request for proposal (RFP) for the engagement of a legal advisor and a transaction advisor for the privatization.
A pre-bidding meeting will be held on July 15. Bids that open on July 7 will be received till July 28. Technical bids will be opened on July 18. Meanwhile, some activists have approached the Andhra Pradesh high court against privatization. The high court has agreed to hear the PIL on July 21st.
If the court refuses to interfere in the matter, more or less, the Supreme Court will also take a similar stance dashing the hopes of the state. Meanwhile, it is interesting to note that BJP state president Somu Veeraju claims that the Vishakapatnam steel plant will remain as it is now.
“It (VSP) will remain as it is now. I am categorically saying that the steel plant will not be privatized,” he repeatedly told the media. But there are no takers for this assurance given the pace things are going on in Delhi.
