'Politics in way of SAIL-RINL merger'

The government today said political opposition was impeding the merger of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd with SAIL.

"Serious political opposition in Andhra Pradesh was impeding the merger of RINL with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). The state government is also against the proposed merger," Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said here, adding that RINL was recently granted a "miniratna" status.

Meanwhile, a government panel has disfavoured the merger of Manganese Ore India Ltd with SAIL.

Paswan said the Das Committee, which examined feasibility of the merger of various PSUs with SAIL, has suggested that Manganese Ore India Limited be allowed to remain independent.

Paswan said his ministry had accorded an approval in principle to the merger of Bharat Refractories Ltd, Maharashtra Elektrosmelt Ltd and Nilachal Ispat Nigam Ltd with SAIL and the process was under way.

Paswan said a policy to enable SAIL stand low steel prices would be put in place soon.