*YSRCP MP seeks halt to Tadepalli IOCL unit shift*

Tadepalli, April 10: YSRCP MP Maddila Gurumoorthy has strongly urged Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to immediately intervene and stop any move to reduce, relocate or shut down the Small Can Filling operations at Tadepalli, Andhra Pradesh, warning that such a decision would severely impact livelihoods and expose policy inconsistency at the Centre.

In his representation, the MP stated that workers, small can fillers and contract labourers associated with Indian Oil Corporation are deeply concerned over the proposed move. He highlighted that the Tadepalli unit, established in 1995, is one of the eight such facilities in India and contributes nearly 35 percent of lubricant supply across Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Karnataka.
He emphasised that Tadepalli has emerged as a strategic hub due to rising industrial and automobile demand in southern and central India. Despite being one of the most cost-effective and efficient units with minimal manpower, it is now being targeted, while higher-cost plants elsewhere continue operations, raising serious doubts over transparency and intent.

The MP pointed out that the so-called savings from relocation are negligible compared to the long-term economic and operational losses. He further warned that nearly 200 families dependent on this unit would be pushed into distress, exposing the Centre’s disregard for livelihoods.

Gurumoorthy stated that the Centre conduct a transparent review, ensure stakeholder consultation, protect jobs and strengthen existing infrastructure at Tadepalli instead of weakening it.