Lok Sabha Question No. 79 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Promotion of Steel Sector
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## LOK SABHA

## PROMOTION OF STEEL SECTOR

79. SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the improvements registered in steel production in the country under the Make in India scheme;
- (b) the manner in which the steel import tariff barriers put in place by the USA are affecting the demand and supply of domestic steel in international markets;
- (c) the efforts made by the Government in equipping SAIL and other PSUs with safeguards against such international protectionist measures;
- (d) whether there have been allegations of low quality steel being produced for the  market,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  steps taken/being taken by the Government to resolve the aforementioned issue; and
- (e) the details and the status of the projects to be undertaken/being undertaken under the Steel Research and Technology Mission of India (SRTMI)?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

(SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

- (a) The Government has notified the National Steel Policy, 2017 and the Policy for Providing  Preference  to  Domestically  Manufactured  Iron  and  Steel  (DMI&SP)  in Government procurement, which create facilitative environment to improve domestic production and consumption of steel.  The total steel production in the country has increased from 88.98 MT in 2014-15 to 103.13 MT in 2017-18.
- (b) India has not been much impacted by the tariff imposed by USA since India's exports to the USA were just around 2.2% before the imposition of the tariff.
- (c) With  a  view  to  provide  relief  to  the  domestic  industry,  Government  took  the following measures:-
-  Increased Customs Duty on steel in two phases-in June'15 and Aug.'15, by 2.5% each.
-  Minimum Import Price (MIP) imposed on specified steel products in Feb.'16. MIP has since expired in Feb.'17.
-  Govt. of India imposed 20% Safeguard Duty on Hot Rolled Coils, provisionally in Sept.'15 and finally notifying it in August, 2016.
-  Govt. of India imposed  Safeguard  Duty  on  Hot Rolled not in Coils, provisionally in Aug. and finally in Nov.'16.
-  Govt. imposed Anti dumping measures for HR Coils provisionally in Aug.'16 and finally notified in May'17.
-  Govt.  imposed Anti  dumping measures for CR Coils provisionally in  Aug.'16 and finally notified in May'17.
-  Govt. imposed Anti dumping measures for Wire rods provisionally in Sep.'16 and finally notified in Oct.'17.
-  Government imposed Anti dumping duties for Colour Coated Steel provisionally in Jan.'17 and final notification issued in Oct.'17.

-  Sunset review of SS Cold Rolled 600-1250mm wherein duties extended upto 2020.  On China, additional Countervailing Duty (CVD) @18.95% for 5 years from Sept.'17.
-  Government  imposed  Anti  dumping  duties  on  SS  Hot  Rolled  products  in March'14 valid upto 2020. On China, additional CVD@18.95% for 5 years from Sept.'17.

(d) Government  of  India  has  issued  Quality  Control  Orders  namely  Steel  and Steel  Products  (Quality  Control)  Order,  2018  covering  47  carbon/alloy  steel  and  6 stainless steel products. The Quality Control Order prohibits manufacturing / import of sub-standard / seconds and defective products.

(e) Steel  Research  and  Technological  Mission  of  India  (SRTMI)  is  a  registered society  under  Society  Act  XXI  of  1860.  The  R&D  Projects  to  be  undertaken  are decided by the Governing Board of the Society.

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