SOURCE: AFI
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has waded into the controversy surrounding the construction of five Fleet Support Vessels (FSVs) for the Indian Navy. The union has urged Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) to construct all five vessels at its own facility, criticizing the reported allocation of two vessels to Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
The central government awarded a ?20,000 crore contract to HSL for the construction of these five FSVs. These vessels are critical for the Indian Navy, providing logistical and operational support at sea.
CITU, a prominent trade union federation, alleges that HSL, under political pressure, has chosen to share the FSV construction with L&T on a nomination basis, delegating the building of two out of the five vessels. The union’s state secretary, Narasinga Rao, expressed concerns about this decision.
CITU argues that HSL possesses the necessary infrastructure and expertise to handle the entire project independently.
The union urges HSL to reconsider its decision and fight for the construction of all five FSVs at its shipyard. This, they argue, would not only benefit HSL’s workers but also leverage India’s domestic shipbuilding expertise for this strategically important project.
The eventual decision on the FSV construction will have a significant impact on both national security and domestic shipbuilding capabilities. Careful consideration of all factors is essential to ensure optimal outcomes.