(a) whether there has been a sharp decline in the demand of steel products due to global Corona Pandemic and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any State has got affected the most by the same ;
(c) if so, whether it has affected States like Odisha and Chhattisgarh the most and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has formulated any action plan to tackle the situation and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STEEL (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) The details of demand/consumption of total finished steel (non-alloy+alloy/stainless) in India during current year i.e. April-July, 2020 and the corresponding period of the last year are as following: -
Month Total Finished Steel (non-alloy + alloy/stainless) Consumption in thousand tons
Year, 2019 Year, 2020
April 7,333 1,092
May 8,850 4,720
June 8,589 6,234
July 8,573 7,405
(b)&(c): The State-wise consumption figures are not maintained. However, various States have been adversely affected by the Covid pandemic and associated disruption of demand and supply chains.
(d) Ministry of Steel has held several rounds of consultations during the lock down period with various stakeholders including industry associations and leaders of domestic steel industry to address their issues by taking up the same with the concerned Ministries/ Departments of the Central Government and State Governments. Ministry of Steel also notified a nodal officer in the Ministry to receive representations from the steel industry on issues arising out of lock down for speedy redressal. Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs from time to time have facilitated speedy resumption of steel production. The Ministry of Steel has also organized the following Webinars with relevant stakeholders to enhance the overall demand for steel in the country:–
(i) Oil and Gas sector, 16 June, 2020
(iii) Ispati Irada: Enhancing Steel Usage, 30 June, 2020
(ii) Housing and Civil Aviation sector, 18 Aug., 2020
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