"18S"

STEEL MINISTRY GUIDES CUSTOMERS AND ENTREPRENEURS

    The information and Facilitation Centre set up by the Steel Ministry since its inception in 1997 has entertained 200 customers and entrepreneurs by personal contact across the counter and 250 people over phone and letters. The information data base is compiled and updated time to time.

    The Centre provides information regarding policies, services and schemes of the Ministry of Steel, Public Sector Undertakings of the Ministry and Public and Private sector Iron and Steel plants. It provides forms for applying for different schemes. It also receives complaints and brings those to the notice of the concerned section for redressal.

    The centre works through a comprehensive computer network with the assistance of NIC as per directives of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.

 

 

SHRI RAM NAIK DIRECTS TAKING UP PILOT PROJECTS FOR PRODUCING AUTO FUEL ADDITIVES FROM SUGARCANE

    The Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Ram Naik has directed that pilot projects be undertaken to produce alcohol from sugarcane for use as additive to motor fuels. Chairing a meeting regarding use of alcohol as admixture to motor fuels here today, Shri Naik said that initially these projects would be taken up in the states of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The meeting was attended by Shri Sompal, Member, Planning Commission, Shri Annasaheb M.K.Patil, MP, Shri Prakash Bapu Patil, MP, Shri Anna Dange, MLC and Shri Mahesh Patel, Member, UP Planning Commission, apart from the officials of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.

    The Minister emphasised that details of these pilot projects should be worked out by 31.3.2000 in view of the technical feasibility, the viability of the project and the benefits to the farmers. The projects would be set up by the Sugar Industry without financial help from the Oil Industry, who would undertake purchase of the product for addition to motor fuels.

    Alcohol has been used as an additive to motor fuels for several years in countries like Brazil and USA. In India, the first Committee to study the addition of alcohol in petrol and diesel, was set up in 1977. Thereafter more than 20 Committees were appointed to study the issue but no concrete action was taken. With the rising prices of crude and the growing demand of fuels, India will be spending over Rs. 55000 crore on import of crude and petroleum products this year.

    Alcohol can be used as a safe additive to motor fuels in a blend upto 10%. The technology is proven and the emissions are less than what are obtained with regular fuel. Apart from saving foreign exchange, the farmers in India would be able to obtain a remunerative price for the sugarcane produced. The molasses which are not properly utilized at several sugar factories, can be effectively used to produce alcohol for addition to motor fuels.

 

 

GOVT WORKING ON WHITE PAPER ON PSU’S

VOLUNTARY SEPARATION SCHEME (VSS) IN PSU’S SUCCESSFUL

    Shri Manohar Joshi, Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises has stated that the Govt. is working on issuing a white paper on PSU’S soon. Presiding over the Consultative Committee Meeting attached to the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, here last week, Shri Manohar Joshi, informed that the Ministry is responsible for development and growth of engineering and capital goods sector in the country, besides framing policy guidelines and administratively dealing with 48 operating public sector enterprises under the Department of Heavy Industry. Dr. Vallabh Bhai Kathiria, the Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Shri Basudev Acharaya, Dr. S. Jagathrakshakan, Shri Rizwan Khan, Shri Atma Ram Patel and Shri Dinsha Patel (Member of Parliament) and Shri T.S. Vijayaraghavan, Secretary in the Ministry were present at the meeting.

    Expressing concern on the overall financial performance of these enterprises Shri Joshi observed that 32 of the 48 enterprises reported loss in 1998-99 while 48 enterprises together ended the year 1998-99 with an aggregate loss of Rs. 411 crores. Shri Joshi further informed that while 26 PSU's of the department have been referred to BIFR, the revival plans sanctioned by BIFR, in respect of 12 PSUs of this department is under implementation. Government have agreed to provide fresh infusion of funds to the extent of Rs. 619 crores and financial restructuring of Rs. 2228 crores for these PSUs, the Minister informed.

    With a view to mitigate the hardship of the employees in these units, Government decided to introduce Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) in these units by extending the benefits of VRS which were otherwise not permissible in these units and the same has been quite successful. Elaborating on the overall industrial performance Shri Joshi stated that 48 public sector undertakings under the Department with an investment of Rs. 7595 crores in terms of gross block till 31-3-1999 with an employee strength of about 1.77 lakh persons recorded a turnover of Rs. 11,330 crores during 1998.99.

    Unfolding the strategies for improving the performance of these enterprises on long term basis, Shri Joshi explained that these include, revival through BIFR, financial restructuring where ever appropriate, formation of joint venture by induction of partners capable of providing technical financial and marketing inputs and manpower rationalization. 24 PSU's of the department have been identified for converting them into joint venture companies and work of locating a suitable joint venture partner has started Shri Joshi stated.