Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Y.S. Sharmila on Tuesday welcomed the the AMNS steel plant project proposed in Anakapalli district, but questioned the ‘massive concessions’ reportedly given to the company, including tax exemptions, subsidised electricity, water supply and a captive port.

Addressing a the media at the party office, she expressed concern over the neglect of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, saying that the PSU established after sacrifices employs thousands of workers.

Ms. Sharmila said despite repeated demands for the merger of the VSP with SAIL, allocation of captive mines, tax relief and financial support, no concrete assurances have been given, while privatisation fears continue to loom large over the plant.

She criticised the job calendar released recently, calling it ‘inadequate when compared to the large number of vacant posts in the State’.

With nearly 1.8 lakh vacancies across departments such as education and police, the announcement of around 10,000 posts is insufficient, she said and urged the government to release a White Paper on employment, increase the age limit for Group examinations to 47 years and take immediate steps to fill the vacant posts.