Import of steel has increased during last few years: Govt

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Government today said import of steel has increased during the last few years.

Replying to questions in the Lok Sabha, Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, however, said domestic production has consistently increased regardless of such imports. Mr Pradhan said, in the current year, country is a net exporter. He said, to counter import of cheap steel, anti-dumping duties have been imposed on various grades of steel which were dumped into the country. 

Mr Pradhan further said, import of steel grades which are not manufactured in adequate quantity in the country is essential for supporting manufacturing sector. The Minister informed the House that the total number of steel plants in the country is 977. He said, work is currently going on in NMDC steel plant in Nagarnar, Chattisgarh, which is a Greenfield project.

In reply to another question, the Minister said, the production of iron ore in the country is sufficient to meet the current demand by domestic steel industry. Mr Pradhan said, the supply of iron ore during last year 2018-19 was 207 metric tonne against its demand of 189 metric tonne.