Public, private steel players assure no rise in prices: Paswan

Mumbai, Oct 20 (UNI) Union minister for steel, chemical and fertilizers, Ramvilas Paswan today said that both public and private steel industries in the country have assured that they will not raise prices of steel for the next six months.

Talking to reporters after the inauguration of India Chem 2008 event here, Mr Paswan said the talks with the representatives of both the industries were held and added that the industry demanded levying of export tax and abolition of export tax. The government will take a decision on this within a week, he said.

Earlier, inaugural function of the Indiachem 2008 International Exhibition and Conference on Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Process Plant Machinery was held here.

In his speech, he said Chemicals, Petrochemicals and Pharmaceuticals play a very important role by providing solutions in the day to day life of human needs.

The Indian Chemical sector including chemicals, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals industry is well established and has been recording a steady growth rate in the overall industrial scenario and with the current annual turnover of around US$ 40 billion, he added.

''Within the chemicals and petrochemical sector, the Government has been paying larger attention to the specific needs of the country. The Government has also approved the Assam Gas Project at an estimated cost of Rs 5,460 crore, work on which is progressing fast,'' he added.

The centre has further approved the policy for setting up of Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Regions (PCPIR), he said. Also Six applications from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Karnatka, Orissa and Tamil Nadu were received and of these, the proposals of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal are at an advanced stage of consideration with the Government of India, he added.

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