CONSULTATIVE
COMMITTEE APPRISED OF ENCOURAGING TREND IN STEEL SECTOR'S Q1 PERFORMANCE
The Minister for Steel
Shri B.K. Tripathy today informed the Members of the Consultative
Committee attached to his Ministry, the encouraging trends
in the steel sector’s performance in the first quarter of this
fiscal. He said that during these three months production of pig
iron has been 2,83,000 tonnes, 60 per cent more than the corresponding
figures of the previous year. The production of finished steel
at 40,13,000 tonnes was 6.5 per cent more compared to the first
quarter of 2001. During the period, apparent consumption of finished
steel has also gone up by more than 10 per cent. The prices have
firmed up and the main producers have revised the prices of the
flat products. The imports have declined due to the measures taken
by the Government to curb import of seconds and defectives.
Replying to
the queries of the Members, the Minister said that National Mineral
Development Corporation (NMDC) is going to commission its Romelt
Technology based pig iron plant at Nagarnar in Chhattisgarh, the
alternative site selected by the State Government. NMDC is obtaining
statutory approvals and finalizing tenders to take up the work
in October, 2002. In case of Bharat Refractories Ltd. (BRL) the
revival package is being implemented to give a turn around to
the company. Hindustan Steel Construction Ltd. (HSCL) has received
Rs. 89.44 crore to make payment of outstanding dues to its retired
and separated employees. The Steel Ministry is perusing the matter
with the Finance Ministry to get more financial assistance.
Shri Tripathy said
that the renewal of mining lease of Kudremukh Iron Ore Company
Ltd. (KIOCL) is pending before the Supreme Court. The court has
set up a Committee to examine the various complaints. KIOCL has
been asked to forcefully present its case before the Committee
and the Supreme Court. The Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL)
in the pursuance of the cabinet approval has formed the first
phase Strategic Business Units (SBUs). The second phase SBUs which
relate to the restructuring at Board level would be completed
by March, 2003.
On the querries on
MECON’s role in the development of Jharkhand State, Shri Tripathy
informed that MECON is executing 17 projects in the State that
include detailed engineering, consultancy and construction activities.
The total value of the projects is Rs. 398.44 lakh.
The Members of the
Committee stressed on strict monitoring of implementation of revival
packages and provide/continue the medical facilities to the separated
employees. They suggested to peruse vigorously the commissioning
of Romelt Technology Plant in Chhattisgarh to avoid cost and time
overrun. They said that the plants should not be complacent of
improved market conditions in view of unpredictable global market
fluctuations and slow growth in domestic consumption. In the emerging
encouraging trends in the Steel sector, the Government should
come forward to protect the interest of employees and create more
confidence in them to raise production, productivity and quality
to make the industry globally competitive. They also suggested
that the Government should peruse the extension of KIOCL lease
for 20 years.
Following Members
of the Parliament were present in the meeting: S/Shri Tarachand
Sahu, Sunil Khan, K. Yerrennaidu, Tilakdhari Prasad Singh, Manjaylal,
Shibu Soren, Jibon Roy, Gaya Singh and D.N. Sarma.
