Govt. committed to accelerating growth of steel industry: Beni Prasad Verma

Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma has said the government is committed to accelerate growth of steel industry through various policy measures.

Chairing a meeting of the parliamentary consultative committee attached to his ministry in Alleppey, Kerala, today, he said that at present, the crude capacity for steel production is 96 million tonnes per annum.

Steel production capacity is being expanded gradually. It is proposed to expand steel production capacity to 300 million tonnes by 2025.

A roadmap for achieving the target of 300 million tonnes of steel production is under preparation.

Public as well as private sector steel plants need to be involved to take necessary steps for achieving the target. This will result in increased employment both in public and private sector, the minister added.

Verma said, one of the objectives of the meeting is to sensitise about need for growth of steel industry in Kerala.

Verma also expressed his satisfaction over the performance of of MOIL Ltd. and MSTC Ltd, the two Miniratna Category - I PSUs under his ministry.

Members were briefed about the steel scenario in the country, the functioning of both companies and the performance of these companies on various developmental topics.

Some of the members suggested that the companies should make more efforts to increase their presence in the backward areas in the field of health, education, drinking water, and other welfare activities.

Tapan Kumar Sen and Nandi Yellaiah from Rajya Sabha attended the meeting Captain Jai Narain Prasad Nishad, Devji M Patel, Gorakh Nath Pandey and Premchandra Guddu represented the Lok Sabha at the meeting.