SAIL to double its annual output: Paswan

Rourkela,Jan 04 (UNI) The Steel Authority of India Limited(SAIL) has chalked out an ambitious plan to double its annual output to 26 million tones over the next three years, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Steel Ram Vilas Paswan said here today.

Laying the foundation stone for modernization and expansion plan of Rourkela Steel Plant(RSP), Mr Paswan said SAIL plants are going in for capacity enhancement as well as modernization and rationalization of its production equipment and processes.

The Union Minister while outlining his plans for SAIL said, his vision would be to make SAIL so strong that it could sustain the vagaries of the dynamic steel market.

'' We have already chalked out a plan for the merger of some of the steel plants under which IISCO has already been clubbed with SAIL and the next in line are MEL and NINL.'' With the completion of the expansion and modernisation of the RSP the hot metal production which crossed the 2 million tonne mark during the year, would be enhanced to 4.5 million tonnes, Mr Paswan said.

He urged Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to sort out the difficulties on the renewal of the mining leases at Barsua, Taldih, Kalta, and expedite the process of transfer of Thakurani mines to SAIL.

Commenting on Corporate Social Responsibility, the Union Minister said it was pleased to note that the RSP has adopted 16 villages in the vicinity as model steel villages, in addition to providing other services in areas like education and health care.

He also announced a special reward of Rs 2000 for the employees of RSP.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed happiness over the way RSP, the biggest industry of Orissa, has contributed in the development and progress of the state as well as improving the socio-economic condition of the people of Orissa.

He hoped that the Steel Plant after the massive modernization would continue to contribute to the well being of the state and its people and at the same time will be a pioneer in the steel industry.

Secretary Steel R S Pandey said an MOU has been signed between SAIL, RINL, CIL, NTPC and NMDC to jointly promote a Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV) for acquisition of coal mines properties. '' SAIL Chairman S K Roongta said the challenge before the RSP collective was to complete the modernization and expansion without time and cost overrun.

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