LEGITIMATE INTEREST OF STEEL CONSUMER
SECTOR WILL BE PROTECTED - SHRI TRIPATHY
In
the recent weeks, domestic as well as International steel prices
have firmed up to an extent that the merchant producers and end
consumers have expressed concern about the continued viability
of the small and medium industries consuming steel products. The
Steel Minister Shri Braja Kishore Tripathy has appealed all concerned
to take steps to protect the legitimate interests of the affected
consumer sector. The Minister said this while addressing the Consultative
Committee of the Steel Ministry here today. In the recent Consumer
Council Meeting held at Ludhiana, the end users had expressed
their deep concern in this regard and the Minister has asked the
industry to address the domestic needs on priority basis. He stressed
on adequate supply and easy availability of raw materials which
will go a long way in stabilising prices. He asked the public
sector units to avoid frequent and interim price increase and
to follow a transparent policy in this regard. He said the new
steel policy which is going to be finalised soon would take care
of the needs of small and medium industries as well as the consumer
sector.
Shri Tripathy
said that the public sector Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL)
has already put into operation an ambitious programme of modernisation,
financial restructuring and manpower rationalisation in active
collaboration with the Government. Such rationalisation exercises
along with other measures of productivity improvement and cost
economy have brought about a huge improvement in the profitability
of SAIL which recorded the highest ever Q-I profit of Rs. 255
crore during this fiscal. The company has also improved its turnover
during the quarter by almost 14 per cent to Rs. 4765 crore as
against the corresponding period last year despite an overall
decline in International steel prices during the period. It has
also fared well on the export front. With a target for export
of 10 lakh tonnes of steel in the full year, SAIL has already
exported 3.3 lakh tonnes in the first quarter alone marking a
growth of 162 per cent in exports over the corresponding period
last year. The company is poised to make a turnaround this year.
The members of the
Parliament praised the Steel Ministry and SAIL authorities for
their endeavour to bring up the Company to stage a turn around.
They were happy that the Prime Minister in his reply to the no
confidence motion and in the other forums has praised SAIL's achievements.
They pleaded that while allowing VRS, the best performing staff
in the public sector steel units should not be separated. The
people who have worked for the organisations for pretty long period
should be honourably separated. They said that the SAIL has no
room for complacency as the global market is very volatile. They
advised further modernisation and adoption of new technologies
to produce quality and cost effective products. They stressed
on expediting the revival of the ailing units. They suggested
that the SAIL should have a think tank for creating domestic market
in all corners of India and a more effective recruitment policy
to tap the best talents. The company should also develop the amenities
for the employees to create a healthy work atmosphere.
