CM Yediyurappa asks Centre to drop Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Ltd disinvestment plan
New Delhi, Jan 30: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday called on Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and requested him to drop the disinvestment proposal of Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Ltd (VISL), which has attracted no bidders till now.
Bhadravathi-based VISL, which was set up in 1918, was merged into SAIL in 1998.
In the meeting, the chief minister informed that "there is still resistance for disinvestment of VISL" and requested the Union Minister to take necessary action to drop the disinvestment proposal of the steel plant.
He highlighted that VISL is a very good brand in the alloy steel industry. People of Bhadravathi and Shivamoga are attached to the plant, he said while urging the union minister to revive the unit by infusing required capital.
The chief minister further informed that VISL is presently a "loss-making" unit because no capital investment either by the central government or SAIL.
SAIL has infused only Rs 157 crore in VISL so far for repair and renewal of the plant, he said.
SAIL, which has initiated disinvestment of VISL as per the recommendation of the government think-tank Niti Aayog, has not received any bids from private firms till now, he added in a representation made to the Steel Minister.
The steel PSU had called expression of interest from private firms in July 2019.
VISL is the only steel producer of more than 730 special grade steel in the country and has potential to contribute to achieving the aim of National Steel Policy 2017.
The company has captive mines of nearly 497 acres, abundant water resources from Bhadra river, power generating plant, adequate land and labour.
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‘No special “good news”; Delhi visits routine, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bamul President D.K. Suresh on Wednesday said there was nothing unusual about his recent visits to Delhi and dismissed speculation about any “good news” linked to the occasion.
Speaking to reporters at the Bengaluru Milk Union Limited (Bamul) office, Suresh said, “I am not aware of any ‘good news’. There is always some good news or the other. Sometimes we travel for party work, sometimes for personal reasons, and at times for government-related matters. There is nothing special about it.”
Responding to a question on whether there would be any announcement on the occasion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s birthday, Suresh said Shivakumar had already appealed to supporters not to put up flex boards or banners.
“He has asked people not to put up flex or banners due to environmental concerns. Everyone should follow this,” he said.
On being asked about discussions on power-sharing within the party, Suresh said it was not the time for such talks and that the matter had been left to the party high command.
“We have said we will abide by whatever the high command decides,” he said.
Replying to a question on pressure from legislators, Suresh acknowledged that there was demand for ministerial posts.
“There is pressure to become ministers,” he said.
On his recent visit to Delhi along with D.K. Shivakumar, Suresh said such trips were frequent.
“We travel to Delhi regularly. If it was a rare visit, you could ask. We go at least twice a month,” he said.
