(a) whether the Government is thinking regarding the increase of per capita consumption of steel in the country in comparison to world average;
(b) if so, the strategies proposed to be adopted therefor; and
(c) the steps taken to modernise Alloy Steel Plant, Durgapur?
MINISTER OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS AND MINISTER OF STEEL (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)
(a)&(b): In a liberalized and deregulated environment, the Government primarily plays the role of a facilitator and provides an enabling environment through policy initiatives to foster growth of the steel industry. Further, an essential feature in the draft National Steel Policy is to institute measures for promoting domestic demand of steel.
(c) The Steel Authority of India Limited has prepared a Corporate Plan for special steel plants, including Alloy Steel Plant (ASP). The plan for ASP envisages utilization of existing assets to the maximum potential by revamping and de-bottlenecking. The new facilities that would be added are- Argon Oxygen Decarburising, bloom-cum-round caster & ultra high power transformer with new furnace shell. Further, most of the facilities would be modernized such as Electric Arc Furnaces, Blooming cum billet mill,
forge shop, heat treatment and finishing and conditioning shop.