Use Lean Ore, improve Product Mix, better Logistics and R&D – Steel Minister

New Delhi, November 15: The Union Minister of Steel, Beni Prasad Verma said that There is a need to utilize lean ore, improve product mix, better logistics through slurry pipelines, increase R&D budget and produce value added steel. He said this while addressing the gathering at the 7th India Steel Summit 2013, organized by ASSOCHAM here today. The theme for the Summit was ‘Realizing 300 MT: Challenges Ahead’. Many industry leaders of the steel industry were present on the occasion.

Speaking about the thrust areas Verma said, “The product basket offered by Indian steel manufacturers must also be enlarged, keeping in view the changing requirements of customers.”

Shri Verma said that the Indian steel industry needs to invest more in Research and Development. He also added that transportation of raw material through slurry pipelines could be a good alternate solution for movement of inputs.

Also present on the occasion were the Member of Parliament, Naveen Jindal, Member Secretary, NMCC, Ajay Shankar, Secretary Steel, G. Mohan Kumar, Chairman, SAIL, C.S. Verma, Vice President, ASSOCHAM, Sandeep Jajodia, Chairperson, ASSOCHAM National Council on Iron and Steel Ms. Sminu Jindal, senior officers from the Ministry of Steel, representatives of ASSOCHAM and delegates from the industry.