Question : PRODUCTION OF STAINLESS STEEL IN DSP

(a) whether the stainless steel being produced in the entire public sector is produced by Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) in West Bengal;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the entire produce of stainless steel is sent from DSP to Salem Steel Plant for production of consumer goods alongwith other goods as there is no facility in DSP to produce commercial goods;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government is considering to facilitate DSP to start producing commercial goods to be marketed in the Eastern parts of the country; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STEEL(SHRI VIRBHADRA SINGH)

(a)to(f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Lok Sabha.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (F) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.380 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19/08/2010, TABLED BY SHRI PRABODH PANDA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING PRODUCTION OF STAINLESS STEEL IN DSP

(a)&(b): No, Madam. Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) does not produce any stainless steel. However, Alloy Steel Plant (ASP) of SAIL at Durgapur produces slabs for making stainless steel.

(c)&(d): The slabs for making stainless steel produced at ASP are sent to Salem Steel Plant(SSP), SAIL for making stainless steel sheets and coils through available hot rolling and cold rolling facilities.

(e)&(f): Since SSP has the facility for processing of stainless steel slabs, setting up further facilities at Alloy Steel Plant (ASP) is not considered necessary. The eastern region market can be served by SSP`s market network. However, SAIL is implementing a modernization and expansion programme at Durgapur Steel Plant to increase its crude steel making capacity from 1.80 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 2.20 MTPA.