RINL’s Move to Outsource Key Operations Sparks Privatization Fears, Worker Protests

State-run steel manufacturer Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) has invited tenders for managing and maintaining two of its vital production units the Sinter Plant-1 and the Raw Material Handling Plant (RMHP). The current workforce and trade unions saw this move as a bad omen toward privatization, and they launched protests.

The expression of interest (EoI) is seeking private agencies for the technical management, maintenance, and housekeeping of both installations. The sinter plant is vital for converting iron ore fines into sinter, which is fed into the blast furnaces, while the RMHP facility takes care of receiving, storing, and moving iron ore and coal mainly supplied by NMDC and other miners.

“This is part of a plan to hand over core operations to private hands gradually. After a few years, they’ll say the revival didn’t work and push for outright privatization,” alleged trade union leader Neerukonda Ramachandra Rao.

RINL, which operates a 7.3 million tonnes per annum plant, is currently trying to restart its third blast furnace by the end of June. The move follows a $1.34 billion government-approved financial rescue package in January involving fresh equity and debt restructuring, aimed at reviving the struggling steel PSU.