Heavy Ind Min for Hindustan Cables revival through SAIL

The Heavy Industry Ministry today said it has written to the steel ministry for considering sick state-owned Hindustan Cables (HCL) revival through Steel Authority of India (SAIL).

"The Department of Heavy Industry has written to the Ministry of Steel for considering the revival of HCL through SAIL," Minister of State for Heavy Industries A Sai Prathap informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

"The response is awaited," he added.

However, it was not clear whether the Department intends SAIL to revive HCL's all three manufacturing units or any one of them. HCL has three manufacturing plants -- one each in West Bengal, Hyderabad and Allahabad.

Prathap, however, added his ministry has written to the Defence Ministry for considering revival of HCL's Naini unit in Allahabad through a take over by Ordinance Factory, Kanpur, for which response was awaited.

For the Hyderabad unit, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam has sent a revised proposal, which is now under consideration, the Minister said.

"Initially, a proposal from RINL for JV (joint venture) with the Hyderabad unit of HCL was not found viable. However, RINL has now sent a revised proposal which is under examination," Prathap said.

HCL employs 2,280 people.