(a) whether SAIL is implementing loss minimising plans for Alloy Steel Plant and Salem Steel Plant;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the financial assistance likely to be provided by the Government for modernisation of these plants separately?
MINISTER OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS AND MINISTER OF STEEL (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is now focussing on reducing losses and improving performance of Alloy Steel Plant (ASP) and Salem Steel Plant (SSP). At ASP, Durgapur some of the projects such as Electro Magnetic Stirrer (EMS), Optical Emission Spectrometer & Slag Free Tapping have already been installed and put into operation. Other projects such as revamping of Vacuum Argon Decarbonization (VAD) unit, Argon Oxidation Decarbonization (AOD) unit & Electric Arc Furnace etc. are under various stages of implementation.
At SSP, internal measures such as higher utilisation of mill by rolling Carbon Steel Slabs and enhanced rolling for export market have been taken up. This has resulted in earning marginal net profit of Rs.1.94 crores during 2003-04. SSP is facing problems in getting stainless steel slabs at an economical price and as such SAIL has made a plan to provide steel slabs from ASP after installing AOD facility at ASP; which after implementation would reduce losses and improve profitability of SSP.
(c) No financial assistance is provided by the Government for modernisation of these plants, separately. The projects are financed by SAIL.