STEEL PRODUCTION UP 8.25 PER CENT

---

The total production of finished steel during the period April-May, 2003 has been provisionally estimated at 55.25 lakh tonnes against the production of 51.04 lakh tonnes during the same period last year showing an increase of 8.25 per cent. Production of pig iron in the same period is 9.24 lakh tonnes against 7.37 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year registering an increase of 25.37 per cent.

The export of steel in the period is estimated at 2.6 lakh tonnes which shows an increase of 65 per cent as compared to April and May 2002.