Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : The production performance of Steel sector during the first eight months of the current fiscal has been quite encouraging with cumulative production of crude steel standing at 76.44 MT and finished steel at 72.07 MT during April-November, 2021, being higher than that in the similar period during the previous three years. This improved performance was achieved despite the adverse effect of second wave of Covid-19 and concomitant localised lockdowns.
Export during the current FY (April-November 2021) was 9.53 MT against import of 3.06 MT vis-à-vis export of 10.78 MT and import of 4.75 MT during corresponding period last year (CPLY) and export of 8.36 MT and import of 6.77 MT in 2019-20 (April-November).
Key initiatives for Atmanirbhar Bharat:
(I) Domestic Manufacturing: Ministry of Steel had notified the Policy for Providing Preference to Domestically Manufactured Iron and Steel Products (DMI and SP Policy) on May 8, 2017, to provide preference to domestically produced iron and steel material in Government procurement.
The Policy was subsequently revised on May 29, 2019, and on December 31, 2020. The policy envisages growth and development of domestic steel industry.
(II)Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: PLI scheme for domestic production of speciality steel with an outlay of Rs 6,322 crore has been approved and detailed guidelines were notified on October 20, 2021.This will result in capacity addition of 25 MT, additional investments of about Rs.40,000 crore,and employment generation of 5.25 lakh, according to a PIB release.
Other Key Highlights :
(I) MoU with Russia : A MoU was signed between Ministry of Steel and the Russian Federation on October 14, 2021, for cooperation in the field of coking coal, used for steel making.
(II) CAPEX : The cumulative CAPEX by steel CPSEs for April-November of the current fiscal at Rs.57,81.1 crore is 75.7% higher than CAPEX during CPLY. The CAPEX for April-November, 2021 was 43.5% of the BE target.
(III) Facilitation of NIP Projects: Ministry of Steel has been proactively taking up issues related to National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) projects of steel companies with Central/State Government, Ministries/Department concerned through Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) meetings and 3 meetings of IMSC were held during 2021 helping resolve issues.
(IV) GeM : Procurement of goods and services through GeM by Steel CPSEs has increased significantly over the year with the value of orders during April-November, 2021, being 4943.14% higher over CPLY.
(V)MSME Payments :The status of pending payments to MSMEs by CPSEs of the Steel Ministry is being monitored on weekly basis to ensure that the same is credited timely and well within the 45 days’ time limit for such payments with 97.4% of the payment during April-November of the current fiscal being made within 30 days. During April-November 2021, Steel CPSEs have made a payment of Rs 3,358.61 crore to MSMEs which is 64.5% higher than payment of Rs 2,041.61 crore made during CPLY.
(VI) Steel Usage: To promote steel usages in various sectors, Ministry of Steel has been jointly organising workshops/ Webinars to spread awareness for benefits of enhanced steel usage in various sectors. Ministry of Steel has also formed a Committee of experts from INSDAG, IITs, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), and industry experts for development of designs for long span (30m, 35m, and 40m) steel based Bridges. The design for 30 m is being vetted by the experts for finalisation.
VII) Covid-19 Response: The steel sector immensely contributed in meeting the Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) requirement of the nation during the second wave of Covid-19. The supply of LMO from the steel plants which was only 538 tonnes as on April 1, 2021, was quickly scaled up to touch the peak of 4,749 tonne on May 13, 2021. The steel plants have also set up jumbo Covid care facilities using gaseous oxygen around their plants with a capacity of around 5,500 beds.
(VIII) Commemoration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) : The Public and Private sector steel companies placed display vans and tableau, along the route of Dandi March from Sabarmati to Dandi displaying Gandhiji’s vision of Swadeshi Movement, steel making process, etc. during the commencement of India@75, starting from March 12, 2021. The public sector steel companies have also undertaken various activities under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav such as plantation in steel plants, mines and townships; depiction of series on freedom fighters on Youtube/Facebook/Twitter; exhibitions titled ”Bapu Dastan” on Gandhi Jayanti; organised “Run for Unity” coinciding with Ékta Diwas; arranged guided tours to steel plants for students and organised various cultural/educational activities in schools.