IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, with Union Minister of State Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, MP M. Sribharat and TDP State president Palla Srinivasa Rao, meeting the kin of workers killed in the RINL steel plant blast, in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.
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IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Tuesday (June 9, 2026) said that the government was not merely extending financial assistance to the families of the victims of the recent blast at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), but was standing firmly with them during one of the most difficult phases of their lives.
Speaking to the media at the plant after inspecting the accident site, Mr. Lokesh said that the first phase of compensation of ₹25 lakh would be provided to the families immediately, as directed by Union Minister for Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy. He added that after the completion of the final rites and the traditional 11-day mourning period, the affected families would be invited to Amaravati for detailed discussions on their future welfare and rehabilitation.
“The focus should not only be on compensation but also on securing the future of the victims’ families. Special attention must be paid to the education and welfare of their children,” he said.
Responding to a minor altercation that occurred at King George Hospital (KGH) among some worker union representatives, Mr. Lokesh alleged that a few union members raised irrelevant issues and reduced the discussion to financial compensation alone.
“It is not just about giving money. We have to ensure long-term support to the affected families,” he said.
Highlighting the response of the NDA governments at both the Centre and the State, Mr. Lokesh noted that Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy reached the accident site within hours of the incident. Home Minister V. Anitha, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat and several NDA leaders were continuously monitoring the situation and supporting the victims’ families.
He further pointed out that Mr. Kumaraswamy had personally announced permanent employment for one eligible member from each affected family, describing it as an unprecedented decision taken in response to the tragedy.
Rejecting criticism from Opposition leaders regarding the government’s handling of emergencies, Mr. Lokesh said the State administration maintains an “Instant Management” WhatsApp group that includes Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and senior ministers to ensure a rapid response to accidents and disasters.
“Whenever an accident occurs, ministers immediately reach the spot and ensure all necessary assistance is provided. This is our responsibility,” he said.
IT Minister Nara Lokesh and Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat meeting the families of the workers killed in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant blast on Tuesday.
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V. Raju
Addressing allegations made by YSRCP leaders and certain union representatives linking the accident to negligence and the proposed privatisation of VSP, Mr. Lokesh reiterated that the NDA government is committed to safeguarding the steel plant.
He pointed out that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had personally taken up the issue with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. He said the Centre had extended financial support of around ₹15,000 crore to revive the plant and facilitate salary payments, while continuous efforts were being made to restore the steel plant’s operations and financial stability. He also highlighted the repeated visits and interventions by Union Minister Kumaraswamy as evidence of the government’s commitment to VSP.
Workers worry
In an incident that highlighted the deep emotional bond between VSP workers and the plant, IT Minister Nara Lokesh said he was profoundly moved by the words of an injured worker during his visit to the hospital early on Tuesday.
Interacting with workers undergoing treatment, Mr. Lokesh recalled his conversation with Srinivas, one of the injured employees. According to Mr. Lokesh, Srinivas told him that the accident had happened and the workers had faith that the government would extend all necessary support to those affected, but they were deeply worried about the future of the plant and safeguarding it from being privatised.
IT Minister Nara Lokesh along with Home Minister Anitha meeting the workers injured in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant blast, at KIMS Hospital in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.
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Special Arrangement
“Srinivas told us that lakhs of families are directly and indirectly dependent on VSP and urged the government to protect the plant at any cost from the proposed disinvestment. I was deeply moved by the emotional attachment that the workers have towards the steel plant. Despite being hospitalised and recovering from the accident, Srinivas’s primary concern was not his own well-being, but the future of the steel plant,” Mr. Lokesh said.
Published – June 09, 2026 04:20 pm IST
