Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates Steel 'Chintan Shivir'

Sep 23, 2019

 

•  Pitches for "Ispati Irada" to bring transformational change
• Exhorts industry to work towards zero exports of natural resources, focus on value addition

 

NEW DELHI, 23 September 2019: Union Minister for Steel and Petroleum & Natural Gas Mr Dharmendra Pradhan participated in the Chintan Shivir: Towards a Vibrant, Efficient and Globally Competitive Indian Steel Sector, organized by Ministry of Steel, here today. The event aims to bring all stakeholders together to deliberate on a roadmap for making Indian Steel Sector more vibrant, efficient and globally competitive. Minister of State for Steel Mr Faggan Singh Kulaste was also present on the occasion.

 

Addressing the inaugural session, Mr Pradhan stated that country aspires to achieve quantum jump to achieve transformational outcome. Quoting Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi that India is not ready to accept incremental growth, the minister said that we all must aim to achieve quantum jump. He said that the steel industry has an important role to play in the transition of making India a $5 trillion economy.

 

The minister said that today world wants to do business with India. He said, "Chintan Shivir must deliberate on how India can be a global player in steel sector. We must ensure our steel industry becomes more cost effective, work on new business models, carry out R&D efforts". Mr Pradhan further said that we must work on the paradigm of "Zero exports of India's natural resources". Government is willing to take all steps to facilitate value addition, he added.

 

The minister mentioned that with a large domestic market and a growing economy, India�s steel usage is set to grow. Launching the new logo of Steel Ministry "ISPATI IRADA", Mr Pradhan said that we must all work with an "Ispati Irada" to increase appropriate usage of steel in the country and bring more strength to society. Mr Pradhan informed that eastern India is on the focus of the government. Mission Purvodaya envisioned by the Prime Minister strives to work on the paradigm of Eastern India driving national growth. "Steel industry, having a significant presence in eastern India has a key role in this regard. We are working on to make eastern India, a steel hub," the minister added. Mr Pradhan also said that he firmly believes in Prime Minister�s idea of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance' and stands committed to facilitating growth of Indian steel sector.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Steel Mr Faggan Singh Kulaste said that steel is crucial to the development of any modern economy and is considered to be backbone of industrial development. The minister said that steel industry should focus on capacity expansion and make efforts to increase the production according to the demand.

 

Mr Binoy Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Steel said that government is dedicated towards the development of iron and steel industry, which contributes to the economic development of the nation. He said that special emphasis is being put on raw material security, and logistics and financial enablement for the industry. The ministry is striving towards making policy and regulatory environment conducive and growth fostering, he added. The secretary further mentioned that the Ministry of Steel intends to overcome the challenges by adopting a holistic approach which involves encouraging demand of domestically produced steel, improving quality, increasing productivity by Research & Development and latest technology adoption.

 

The "ISAPTI IRADA" campaign aims to increase appropriate usage of steel in the country and bring more strength to society. The brand "Ispati Irada" will be allowed to be used by entities working on this theme. Brand ambassador of Ministry of Steel and ace shuttler P.V. Sindhu while expressing happiness at the launch of Ispati Irada campaign through a video message, put her weight behind Prime Minister�s call for elimination of single use plastic.