Скачать или смотреть Does VRS means Privatisation ??

“Welcome to our channel! Today, we unpack the recent developments at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant—India’s first shore-based steel plant—and explore two major trends: the rollout of a Voluntary Retirement Scheme and the growing move toward partial privatization.”


Narrator (VO):
“Let’s start with the VRS. In January 2025, VSP, under its corporate arm RINL, launched its first voluntary retirement window. By January 31, around 600 employees had applied to opt out—citing pressures like heavy workloads, salary delays, and health concerns .

Then came the second phase, initiated on June 15 and closed on July 16. In this round, approximately 1,200 employees—a mix of executives and non-executives—applied . Altogether, more than 1,000 employees opted for VRS in 2025 .

Why now? RINL’s workforce stood at about 13,536 regular employees as of March 31, 2024 . The VRS appears aimed at rationalizing manpower, cutting costs, and boosting productivity .”



“Concurrent with the VRS, VSP has initiated significant outsourcing and privatization of various functions.

In July 2025, VSP issued an expression of interest (EOI) to privatize its firefighting, prevention, and rescue services, previously managed by CISF. The tender covers a 24-month contract valued at approximately ₹18.24 crore .

More recently, reports indicate that RINL plans to hand over 32 additional departments to private entities. This includes parts of its thermal power plant, raw material handling, sinter plant, quality assurance, blast furnaces, and more .

These measures have sparked strong pushback. The Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee—an employee rights group—calls this a stealthy, phased-out privatization of VSP, despite official claims otherwise .

Meanwhile, TDP leader Palla Srinivasa Rao has publicly reassured that VSP will “never be privatized,” emphasizing that outsourcing auxiliary services does not equate to full privatization .”



“At the grassroots, reactions are intense.

In May 2025, YS Sharmila (AP Congress chief) issued a powerful ultimatum: she demanded the reinstatement of 2,000 dismissed contract workers, release of eight months’ unpaid wages, and rollback of the 2021 privatization decision. She also proposed merging VSP with SAIL. She even threatened an indefinite hunger strike starting May 21 if demands weren’t met .

Additionally, the Human Rights Forum (HRF) has condemned the privatization trend, expressing solidarity with workers on indefinite strike and calling for immediate reinstatements .

This public pressure has amplified scrutiny on the VRS and privatization decisions.”



“In summary, the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is navigating a pivotal moment. The VRS seeks to slim down workforce redundancies, but it’s happening alongside steps toward outsourcing vital services. This blend of initiatives has fueled concerns about the plant’s long-term trajectory—whether it remains a public-sector flagship or edges toward private control.

What do you think? Is VRS a prudent restructuring effort—or a gateway to privatization? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more in-depth updates.”
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