Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Member of Parliament M. Sribharat urged Union Minister for Steel HD Kumaraswamy to ensure immediate release of the pending Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) benefits and other statutory dues to former employees of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL). Meeting the Union Minister in New Delhi, Sribharat brought a representation recently submitted by the Steel Executives’ Association (SEA), Visakhapatnam Steel Plant to the Minister’s attention, highlighting the hardships being faced by retired employees whose VRS benefits continue to be pending. The MP explained that despite opting for the government-approved VRS, several retired employees are yet to receive their dues. Similarly, he said that the 67 employees covered under the third phase of the VRS have received only 25 per cent of their entitled compensation, leaving a substantial portion of their unpaid benefits. Keeping this in view, he requested the Union Steel Minister to issue appropriate directions to the RINL management for the early release of the pending VRS compensation, earned leave encashment, salary arrears and all other retirement benefits in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.