The production and sales of
the Bharat Refractories Limited (BRL) Bokaro, a public sector
unit of the Steel Ministry, during the first nine months of
this fiscal have shown substantial growth. The production has
gone up to 24119 tonnes from 21997 tonnes in the same period
last year and the sales improved from Rs. 36 crore to Rs. 43
crore. This information was given to the Minister of Steel,
Shri Braja Kishore Tripathy who was reviewing its April-December
performance yesterday.
The Minister was apprised
that the company has reduced its net loss during the period
from Rs. 30.79 crore during April-December 2001-02 to Rs. 24.2
crore. The Minister said that under the revival package recently
approved for the company, the Government has already released
Rs. 90 crore for implementing VRS and Rs. 55 crore for clearing
statutory dues of the employees who have opted for VRS. Necessary
approval for extending guarantee for raising working capital
loan has also been obtained from the Finance Ministry. Steps
are being taken to expedite capital restructuring and waiver
of guarantee fees.
Shri Tripathy asked the
company to take full advantage of the package and bring down
the manpower to the required level to cut losses. He also advised
to focus on maximising turnover and cutting costs.