PIG IRON PRODUCTION UP 28.6 PER CENT

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The total production of finished steel during April 2002 to February 2003 has been provisionally estimated at 294 lakh tonnes as against 277.3 lakh tonnes during the same period last year, showing an increase of 6 per cent. Pig iron produced during this period has been 47.4 lakh tonnes as against 36.8 lakh tonnes last year with a growth of 28.6 per cent. During the period the production of finished steel by main producers recorded an increase of 10 per cent compared to 3 per cent for the secondary producers.

The apparent consumption of steel till February 2003 is 254 lakh tonnes, higher by 4 per cent compared to consumption in the same period last year. Most of the public sector plants under the Steel Ministry during this period have achieved their production targets and registered encouraging growth compared to last year.