M. Sribharat, the TDP MP from Visakhapatnam, met with H.D. Kumaraswamy, the Union Minister for Steel, to discuss significant welfare issues affecting employees and retirees of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP). He presented a detailed report emphasizing the challenges faced by nearly 10,000 retired employees and their families, particularly concerning the proposed increase in health insurance premiums from ₹2,600 to ₹17,000. This steep hike poses a substantial financial burden for those receiving pensions as low as ₹2,000 per month. Sribharat also pointed out the lack of dedicated medical facilities for employees, contrasting it with the provisions available at Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) units. He suggested that if SAIL-like policies are feasible, a merger of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) with SAIL should be considered. Furthermore, he highlighted the absence of wage revisions since 2007 for officers and 2017 for workers, stalled promotions for over six years, and pending salaries for nearly four months. With ₹600 crore in dues still outstanding for retirees, widows, and current employees, Sribharat called for immediate action to resolve these issues, especially given VSP's productivity levels and the recent ₹10,000 crore support package from the Centre.