(a) whether the Government proposes to set up more mini steel plants in the country under
the expansion programmes;
(b) if so, the number of licences issued and sanctioned by the Government to install mini steel plants at Amreli, Rajkot, Porbandar, Bharuch, Surat, Mehsana and Himatnagar and the basis on which licences have been issued; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to promote the setting up of mini steel plants in the State to meet the demand of steel?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STEEL(SHRI A. SAI PRATHAP)
(a)&(c): According to the New Industrial Policy announced in July, 1991, steel industry has
been de-licensed and removed from the list of industries reserved for the public sector
subject to certain locational restrictions. No industrial licence is, therefore, required for
setting up steel plants under the Industrial (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 and the
entrepreneurs are free to set up such plants anywhere in the country except in the restricted
locations based on their commercial judgement. The role of Government is that of a facilitator
for an overall and healthy growth of steel sector in the country.
(b) As per information furnished by Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), no
licence has been issued by the Government of India for setting up of mini steel plants for the
districts Surat, Mehsana, Rajkot, Amroli, Bharuch, Porbandar and Himatnagar during the last
three years.