ISA seeks Odisha govt's support to tackle steel sector crisis

Noting that steel industry is going through a tough time due to several factors, Indian Steel Association (ISA) today sought Odisha government's active support to tide over the challenges.
"Indian steel industry has been going through a tough time and major players are incurring losses. We need the govenrment's support in a more sustainable manner," Tata Steel Managing Director T V Narendran told reporters here after a delegation of the ISA met Odisha Chief Secretary G C Pati.
Besides Narendran, the delegation comprised JSPL Chairman Naveen Jindal, ISA Secretary General Sanak Mishra, MESCO Steel Advisor Priyabrat Patnaik, Essar Steel (Odisha Projects) CEO R K Mittal, JSPL Executive Director Manish Kharbanda, among others.

The delegation during its first discussion with the chief secretary apprised the state government on various problems faced by steel industries in Odisha, said Jindal Steel & Power Ltd Chairman Naveen Jindal.
Expressing concern over the fact that India imports at least 1 mtpa steel per month from other countries like China, Japan and Korean, the ISA, which comprised steel industries both in the public and private sector, said that Indian industries should get adequate support from the state government to face the challanges.
The ISA drew attention of the Odisha government over issues like very low availability of iron ore and chrome which lead to very high prices. "This is not supporting the domestic steel industry. ISA members requested for support on this issue, said ISA secretary general Sanak Mishra.

Seeking enhancement of iron ore Production by Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and merchant miners, the ISA urged the state government to consider its demand of keeping low DMF (District Mineral Foundation) to lessen the burden on Steel Industry.
They said the OMC should allocate iron ore & chrome to MoU signed steel plants on priority basis.