Steel Plants in Himachal, resentment grows among producers
Nahan: The proposals of the steel authority of India (SAIL) to set up plants in Himachal have raised resentment among the producers of the TMT bars (Sariya) in private sector.
The state government has put such proposals of private sector in the negative list. But contrary to this state government was providing the support to steel authority of India to set up such plants.
Currently 27-29 plants in Himachal are producing TMT bars in private sector. Due to the certain reasons previous Congress government had put these industries in the negative manner so no fresh proposals in the private sector were allowed the clearance specifically in Sirmaur, Una and Solan districts. As per the information Himachal steel manufacturing association is collecting data regarding the consumption and production of the TMT bars in the state. The producer of the TMT bar says if the Union government is serious over the interest of the state than union government should work to enhance the period of Industrial package. Association feels that SAIL would not only face the losses in the state but would also give a set back to private sector. It is worthwhile to mention here that the steel industry is still facing the recession.
Reacting on the visit of the secretary SAIL on Monday Himachal steel manufacturing association chairman Jai Pal Jain said that private sector is already producing the TMT bars in sufficient quantity and added that it would have been better if SAIL had given the proposals for setting the plants other than TMT bars. Jain said that state government before allowing the plants of the SAIL in the state should not ignore the certain facts and the interest of the industries which are giving heavy revenue to the exchequer of the state.
When contacted, Director Industry Manoj Kumar said that so far steel manufacturing association was yet to give any representation. He said that if such representation comes than points would defiantly be examined. Director said that the visit of SAIL authority on Monday was very fruitful and clarify that SAIL had committed the joint venture with private sector in the expansion. He said that private sector needs not to worry at this stage.
