SAIL not keen on proposed facility in Himachal

SAIL not keen on proposed facility in HimachalShimla, March 27 - Public sector Steel Authority of India (SAIL) is not keen on setting up a plant in Himachal Pradesh despite the state government extending facilities, Industries Minister Kishan Kapoor said here Tuesday.

The state had identified two alternate sites in Mandi district and written to SAIL twice last year, inviting it for spot inspections for the proposed steel processing plant, Kapoor said.

"A senior official from the (state) industries department also visited SAIL and met top officials there. Since June 2011, the state hasn't got any response," Kapoor told IANS.

The government had identified two sites -- one in Balh area and the other near Sundernagar town.

"Before identifying the new sites last year, SAIL was offered two sites in some other places (in Mandi district). But it rejected both of them on technical grounds. Then last year, it was offered two alternate sites. Since then, there has been no response from it. It seems SAIL is not keen (on the project)," Kapoor added.

The decision to set up the facility was announced by union micro, small and medium enterprises minister Virbhadra Singh during his stint as steel minister.

SAIL has already started the commissioning of a secondary manufacturing unit of TMT bars at Kandrori in Kangra district in the state. (IANS)