Lok Sabha Question No. 377 (STARRED), answered on 2019-01-07
Subject: R&D in Steel Sector
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: SHARAD TRIPATHI

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*377 FOR ANSWER ON 07/01/2019

## R&D IN STEEL SECTOR

- *377.  SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Steel industry needs to be provided with the latest world class technology urgently to improve its production capacity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the public and private sector iron and steel companies are conducting research and development (R&D) activities in the iron and steel sector;
- (d) if so, the details thereof including the total amount allocated and spent for the purpose and the achievements of these companies during the last three years and the current year; and
- (e) whether the Government had introduced a new scheme during the 12 th Five Year Plan to provide an impetus to R&D activities and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

(SHRI CHAUDHARY BIRENDER SINGH)

THE MINISTER OF STEEL

(a)to(e):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the Lok Sabha.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (A)  TO  (E)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *377 FOR ANSWER ON 07/01/2019 TABLED BY SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING 'R&D IN STEEL SECTOR'

(a)&(b):  Yes,  Madam.  Steel  industry  is  a  deregulated  sector  and  the  role  of Government  is  that  of  a  facilitator.  Government  undertakes  R&D  for  the  sector  to address relevant issues through budgetary support. Results of the R&D for the sector are  made  available  in  public  domain  for  adoption  by  the  industry.  However,  the decision regarding introduction of technologies to be deployed are essentially taken by  the  respective  iron  and  steel  companies  based  on  techno-economics  of  the specific technologies.

(c)&(d):  The  steel  companies  in  public  and  private  sector  are  conducting  research and development (R&D) in iron and steel sector. The details of the R&D expenditure of the public sector enterprises are given below:-

| S.   | CPSE                                   | R&D Expenditure (Rs. crore)   | R&D Expenditure (Rs. crore)   | R&D Expenditure (Rs. crore)   |
|------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| No.  |                                        | 2015-16                       | 2016-17                       | 2017-18                       |
| 1    | Steel Authority of India Limited(SAIL) | 277.00                        | 339.43                        | 335.50                        |
| 2    | Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited(RINL)    | 21.74                         | 23.52                         | 20.06                         |

(e) Research & Development is an on-going activity. The Government started the scheme with Plan Fund for support of R&D during the 11th Five Year Plan, to pursue R&D projects on national importance, under the head " Promotion of R&D in Iron and Steel Sector ".  The Scheme was continued in the 12th Plan and is still on-going.

Under the scheme, in the 12th Plan, projects have been approved with a total cost  of  Rs.  97.71  crore  with  approved financial  assistance  of  Rs. 73.85 crore from Ministry  of  Steel.  During  2018-19  &  2019-20,  Rs.15  crore  per  annum  has  been allocated under the scheme.

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