VISL privatization: Thousands protest against SAIL's decision

VISL is a unit of SAIL that is involved in the production of alloy steels and pig iron.

Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has decided to privatize the century-old Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISL) in the latest disinvestment franchise of NDA government but the decision is not sitting well with the workers and even general public. A full-blown social media campaign against the decision is launched and thousands of people are participating in it.

Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISL) is located it Bhadravathi and residents don't want the plant, which gives employment to hundreds of people, to be privatized. "#VISLonDeathBed" is trending on Twitter and people are sharing their ire over the decision.

Visl is the pride indentification of Bhadravathi. Save VISL Without that, Bhadravathi will fall down for sure after disappointment of MPM.#VISLonDeathBed pic.twitter.com/zDaLm3tDTN

— Mallappa Mukund (@MallappaMukund) July 15, 2019

People are also questioning the revival efforts made by SAIL for VISL.

#VISLonDeathBedVISL had a technical collaboration with world's renowned company M/S Bohlers of Austria then in 1980s.Now, the same company has been listed under strategic disinvestment from @SAILsteel without even considering it for revival. pic.twitter.com/wnskVvmCcf

— Yuva Brigade (@yuva_brigade) July 15, 2019

People have also taken on the streets to protest against the decision to privatize VISL.

Families of VISL employees protesting. Our fight is not against disinvestment. But, before disinvesting Govt should take care of the company, its workers. But VISL is in bad condition.#VISLonDeathBed pic.twitter.com/j9y0gnw6uF

— Priya Shivamogga (@Priyashivamogga) July 15, 2019

Closure will affect not just employees but also the entire township, the auxiliary industries associated, the transport sector and so on #VISLonDeathBed pic.twitter.com/yRwZCod4L8

— Dheeraj Kumar Akumalla (@YuvaDheeraj) July 15, 2019

VISL is a unit of SAIL that is involved in the production of alloy steels and pig iron. It was originally started as the Mysore Iron Works on January 18, 1923, and is estimated to have over 2,000 employees.