OREANDA-NEWS. “India has achieved all-round progress in 2015 under the able and dynamic leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. There is a distinctly visible vibrancy, hope and enthusiasm among majority of Indians. Their belief and pride in their country has grown manifold and they are willing to go the extra mile for the nation,” said the Minister of Steel & Mines in his New Year message.

Ministry of Steel and Mines made their contribution to the cause of serving the nation, like all other government departments and organizations. The two Ministries contributed to ‘Make in India’ by dedication of two modernized and expanded steel plants to the nation by the Prime Minister, setting up SRTMI and initiating Special Purpose Vehicles for Greenfield steel plants. We joined Skill India and Clean India, with our PSUs joining hands together to contribute their best to these movements. We benefitted from Digital India in our pledge to bring transparency and corruption-free processes in allocation of mines, when we amended the MMDR Act and introduced e-auctions. We launched Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetr Kalyan Yojana to give shape to Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas in the Mining Sector. We strengthened the spirit of cooperative federalism when we took steps for devolution of more power and revenues to the states in Mining Sector. Whether it be giving momentum to exploration in the country or use of satellites for preventing illegal mining, technology has been an enabler all the way, the Minister added. Shri Tomar wishes a very happy new year to all Indians their near and dear ones.

 

Ministry of Steel – Major Outcomes in 2015

India becomes 3rd largest steel producer in the world

India became the 3rd largest producer of steel in the world in Jan. 2015, leaving behind US as the 4th largest producer. 

India bucks the global trend in steel production and consumption

India was the only country among the major steel producing nations of the world which recorded a positive trend in steel production and consumption in 2015. First 11 months of 2015, steel production vis a vis 2014, India showed a growth of 2.8 %, and world steel production registered decrease of 2.8 %. India’s steel production capacity has increased by 6 % in 2015. And consumption has increased by around 5 %.

Hon’ble PM dedicates two modernized steel plants to the nation

CPSEs under the Ministry of Steel completed modernization and expansion projects to enhance their crude steel capacity.  Hon’ble Prime Minister dedicated to the nation two such projects at SAIL’s Rourkela Steel Plant in Odisha and  IISCO Steel Plant at Burnpur, West Bengal. These two plants added a steel production capacity of nearly 5 million tonnes to the country.

Steel Research and Technology Mission of India (SRTMI) established

Steel Research and Technology Mission of India (SRTMI) was established to spearhead R&D activities of national importance in collaboration with steel industry with an initial corpus of Rs.200 crore.

2 MOUs signed for SPVs for Greenfield steel plants

In order to increase the domestic capacity of steel production, a concept of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been introduced. Two MOUs have already been signed by the states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand for setting up Greenfield steel plants with initial capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) each, to be later enhanced to 6 MTPA. More than Rs. 70000 crore will be invested for setting up of these steel plants.  

Skill Development Initiatives

Ministry of Steel has entered into a strategic partnership through a MoU with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for facilitating skill development through CPSEs of the Ministry. SAIL, RINL & MOIL each signed MoUs with National Skill Development Corporation for skill development.

Clean India Campaign

3043 toilets constructed in 2015 under Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan to facilitate hygiene and sanitation, thus health

Ministry of Mines – Major Outcomes in 2015

MMDR Act amended to bring transparency

MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 introduced transparent and competitive e-auctions.  This will enable to obtain an enhanced value of mineral resources. Around 35 mines/blocks have been notified for auction in the first phase.

Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) launched for inclusive development

PMKKKY was launched in September 2015, for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations, This will be funded through contribution made to District Mineral Foundations (DMF).  Annual accrual to DMF by lease holders will be to the tune of about Rs. 6000 crore.

National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) established to enhance Mineral Exploration

NMET has been established in 2015 to promote exploration in the country. The government has also opened up the arena of exploration to other agencies.

Royalty revenues of states increase due to revision of royalty rates

Central Government has revised the rates of royalty for major minerals State Governments receive 100% of the royalty and thus are benefited through this increase in rates.

Devolution of greater powers to states as a measure of Cooperative Federalism

Central Government has notified 31 minerals as ‘minor’ minerals to delegate entire regulation for these minerals to States. This increased the number of minerals notified as 'minor' minerals from 24 to 55. Requirement of prior approval of central government has been done away with.

Mineral Sector revived due to various initiatives of the government

The Index of Mineral production for MCDR minerals (April -October 2015) increased to 114.1, which was 105.0 in the corresponding period of last year (CPLY), showing a  cumulative growth of  8.7 %.

Iron ore production, which was 23.36 MT in February, 2009, came down to 8.12 MT by September, 2014. With the amendments introduced in MMDR Act in March 2015, the sector has shown revival. The Monthly production of iron ore is now increasing. The production was 8.12 MT in September, 2014, 12.44 MT in March, 2015, 11.86 MT in July, 2015, 10.8 MT in September 2015 and 12.9 MT in October 2015. We are now again self-sufficient in iron ore.

The production of many other key minerals has also shown a positive growth in the period from April to October 2015 in comparison with last year on Y-o-Y basis. Some of them include Bauxite ( 24% ) , Chromite ( 13.8% ), Lead conc. (35.5% ), Zinc conc. (18.5% ) and Apatite and Phosphorite (104% ).