Steel production up 4 pc in April

New Delhi, May 10 (PTI) Backed by improved demand from
auto and construction sectors, India's steel production
increased by nearly four per cent to 4.49 million tonnes in
April compared to the corresponding month last year.

In April 2008, the finished steel production stood at
4.33 million tonnes.

Even as the overall steel output went up last month, two
of the state-run producers-- SAIL and RINL --posted 2.6 per
cent decline in production at 1.36 million tonnes from 1.39
million tonnes, as per provisional figures of Steel Ministry's
Joint Plant Committee.

While SAIL's production stood at 7.72 lakh tonnes against
8.08 lakh tonnes, that of RINL dipped to 1.91 lakh tonnes from
2.32 lakh tonnes. Among the main producers, Tata Steel
registered a double digit growth in output at over 5 lakh
tonnes.

Steel Secretary P K Rastogi attributed the overall
increase in April production to robust demand from consuming
sectors as also clearing of inventories by steel companies.

"They (companies) have cleared their inventories and are
producing more. It is a good sign for the sector," he said.

During the month under review, the import of steel items
increased by 5.6 per cent to 3.80 lakh tonnes as against 3.60
lakh tonnes. Exports, however, took a beating and fell nearly
16 per cent to 3.10 lakh tonnes from 3.68 lakh tonnes. PTI RKR
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