SteelPlant – Jagan Seeks Higher Relief for Families After VSP Accident

SteelPlant –  Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday called for additional financial assistance for the families of workers who lost their lives in the recent accident at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. He urged the State government to provide an extra ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 crore to each affected family and ensure employment for one eligible member from every household that suffered a loss.

Visit to Injured Workers

Jagan made the demand while speaking to journalists in Visakhapatnam after meeting workers who were injured in the accident and are currently receiving medical treatment. During his visit, he interacted with the victims and reviewed their health condition. He said that beyond immediate medical support, the government should take meaningful steps to assist the families facing emotional and financial hardship following the tragedy.

Demand for Additional Financial Support

Referring to the compensation package announced after the accident, Jagan stated that the government had highlighted a total assistance amount of Rs 1.72 crore for the families of the deceased workers. However, he argued that a significant portion of this figure was made up of insurance claims and other benefits that were already legally available to the workers and their families.

According to him, these existing entitlements should not be presented as fresh relief measures. He maintained that the State government should announce a separate ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 crore as direct assistance to provide meaningful support to the affected families during a difficult period.

Call for Employment Opportunities

In addition to financial compensation, the YSR Congress Party leader stressed the need to provide employment to one member of each deceased worker’s family. He said such a measure would help ensure long-term financial stability for households that have suddenly lost their primary earning member.

Jagan noted that compensation alone may not be sufficient to address the challenges faced by the families. Providing a job, he said, would offer a sustainable source of income and help them rebuild their lives in the years ahead.

Reference to Previous Compensation Measures

While explaining his demand, Jagan pointed to the compensation extended to victims during the LG Polymers incident. He said that the government had previously taken significant steps to support affected families in similar circumstances and should adopt the same humanitarian approach in the present case.

He emphasized that governments must respond compassionately when industrial accidents result in loss of life and livelihood. According to him, stronger support measures would reflect the administration’s commitment to worker welfare and social responsibility.

Opposition to Steel Plant Privatisation

Apart from raising concerns about compensation, Jagan also reiterated his opposition to the proposed privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. He urged the State government to pass a resolution in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly opposing any move toward privatisation.

He said the steel plant holds strategic and economic importance for the region and argued that the interests of workers and local communities should be protected. Jagan maintained that the Assembly should send a clear message supporting the continuation of the plant under public ownership