The Hindu Business Line : Tata Steel MD not for iron-ore exports

The Managing Director of Tata Steel, Mr B. Muthuraman, has reiterated his opposition to iron-ore exports and presented a strong case for ensuring the "raw material security" of the steel sector, with a view to facilitating its long-term growth on a sustainable basis.

He urged the Government not to be "swayed" by short-term pressures, but take policy measures keeping in view the country's raw material security needs and future economic growth.

No to export

Delivering the Presidential address at the 44th National Metallurgists' Day and 60th Annual Technical Meeting of The Indian Institute of Metals here on Tuesday, Mr Muthuraman said, "No country in the world, which has huge potential for steel consumption exports iron ore."

He said the Indian steel industry was growing at 8-10 per cent per annum and the growth was sustainable thanks to investments in the infrastructure and automotive sectors, as well as growing consumerism.

However, "given the track record of Indian steel companies" he was apprehensive if the industry could meet consumers' demands in terms of quality, costs and services.

Mr Muthuraman enumerated the challenges facing the Indian steel industry. These included addressing issues pertaining to research and technology. "The steel industry must attract talent on a sustainable basis. There must be good faculty to teach metallurgy in colleges. We must also train people in the steel industry for greater technical orientation," he said.

Knowledge pool

According to him, it was also imperative to build indigenous capabilities for steel plant design and equipment manufacture. He also called for resolution of infrastructure issues, especially those pertaining to acquisition of land and rehabilitation of oustees.

In his address as Guest of Honour, Dr R.A. Mashelkar, Director-General of the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research, said India had a huge pool of knowledge and this knowledge had to be translated into innovation. "Knowledge without innovation is of no consequence. And innovation has to be protected and patented," he added.

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