'Steel prodn to cross 200 mn tonne in 2020'

Chennai, Aug 12: Union Minister of Steel, Chemicals and Fertilisers Ram Vilas Paswan today said the Indian steel production would cross 200 million tonne in 2020 from the current output of 45 million tonne.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the production was expected to touch 80 million tonne in another three years.

During 2005-2006, the government had made a profit to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore in the steel sector, he observed.

Expressing satisfaction and happiness over the progress of the steel sector in the country, the Minister said "there is immense capacity for growth in steel sector and the National Steel Policy launched in November 2005 is aimed at increasing both production and consumption of steel in the country." The Ministry was also keen to increase the steel production and consumption in the country.

Mr Paswan, who also holds Chemicals and Fertilisers portfolio, said the government had decided to re-open eight fertiliser manufacturing units, which were closed.

"An amount of Rs 28,00 crore will be spent on it," he said.

"We require about 250 lakh tonne of fertilisers for various agricultural purpose. But the production is just 200 lakh tonne," he said.

Mr Paswan further said the government was taking all steps to increase fertiliser production.

UNI