LOK SABHA
The Indian Iron and
Steel Industry has witnessed major achievements in different spheres
of operation during last three years. The crude steel production
has increased by over 12 per cent and the capacity utilization
has improved from 76 per cent to 82 per cent. The production of
sponge iron has also witnessed a steady rise during this period
and today India is the largest producer of sponge iron in the
world.
Despite trade
barriers put up by various countries, India has been able to maintain
its net exporter status during these three years. The export basket
too has shifted towards value added goods. The apparent consumption
of finished steel has risen by over 9 per cent during this period.
The Government has taken measures to check the surge in import
of second/defectives and the tax structure has also been rationalized
to the benefit of the steel industry in general.
Government has
decided to formulate a National Steel Policy to draw up a road
map for the iron and steel industry in the context of second generation
reforms, restructuring and globalization. A draft committee under
the chairmanship of Development Commissioner for Iron and Steel
has been set up to prepare the Draft National Policy. The Committee
has prepared a first draft and the same is under examination in
consultation with major steel producers and associations.
This information
was given by the Minister for Steel Shri Braja Kishore Tripathy
in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
