New Delhi (NVI): Government today asked the steel industry in the country to adopt a mission of ‘Green Steel’ and facilitate setting up of model projects in integrated steel plants to promote energy efficient, clean and green technologies.
Speaking at the ISA Steel Conclave 2019 organised by Indian Steel Association here, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Dharmendra Pradhan asked the industry to work towards achieving the mission of “Green Steel” in line with India’s targets to mitigating climate change and the plan of achieving 450GW capacity of renewable energy.
“Industry must deploy technology, innovation to develop environment friendly processes,” he said adding that his ministry has launched Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project in the Eastern India, which can provide gas to all the Steel plants, located in the area.
Emphasising the vital role of steel in building a modern economy, the Minister said, “World is in midst of industrial revolution 4.0., Big data, digitisation, artificial intelligence that are fundamentally changing the economy and society. Even in wake of such large-scale disruptions, steel continues to play an important role in building modern economy.”
On steel consumption in the country, Minister Pradhan said “Steel usage in India is set to rise. We have launched a collaborative campaign “Ispati Irada” for brand building to increase appropriate usage of steel in the country. Welfare missions of the Government will further give impetus to steel usage in the country.”
Speaking about India’s ambition to be a net exporter, Minister Pradhan said, “There is no reason, why can’t we be net exporter in steel sector. For our nation to develop, we must promote domestic industry and be a net exporter of steel.”
Describing the recent decision to opt out of RCEP as a sweetener for the industry, he said, “Prime Minister’s decision to opt out of RCEP in its present form has again reinforced that for our government the national interest is paramount. This move has been received well by all stakeholders of our economy. This decision will ensure support to India’s varied sectors including steel.”
On the recent decision of the Government to reduce its stake in various public sector companies, Pradhan added that the Government has no business to be in the business. The minister said that the PSUs have to become more competitive and productive, as their ownership wrest with the common man of the country.
-sb
