Rourkela Steel MD sees bright future for industry

Statesman News Service
ROURKELA, Dec. 30. — The future of the steel market world over, especially in India, is very bright and there is nothing to worry about any downslide, according to Dr Sanak Mishra, the MD of the Rourkela Steel Plant, who is due to retire.
In an exclusive interview to The Statesman, the media-shy MD, who is credited with one of the most dramatic turnarounds in steel industry, said: “There is nothing to worry about the market potentiality of steel industry at least for the next 15-20 years and as such Indian consumption will also touch a level of 100 million tons by 2020. The picture is really encouraging and by that time India will be producing over 100 million tons of steel. However, he added that there would be definitely some ups and downs, “ as these are features of the steel industry or for that matter any industry”.
The erudite man who had a doctorate in the metallurgical engineering was optimistic that with the economy constantly registering 7 - 8 per cent growth in India enough infrastructure will be made to keep the market buoyant for a very healthy period.
The techno-savvy and HR expert, whose SAMSKAR movement is now considered as one of the most successful experiments in Indian corporate history, was confident that the big players would not eclipse the small operators. However, he had a word of caution for the smaller operators “In order to remain in the market they have to indulge in good product mix and specialisation to give the necessary market niche for which there will be definitely a demand of their products.”
And the best way to achieve that place in the market, Dr Mishra had some advice for them. “ They must be cost competitive instead of waiting for a higher price always as price is market driven. They must be able to cut their production cost in order to remain aggressive in the market.
He felt the promoters of the smaller units should remain committed to the industry and there shall not be any deviation in their priorities and must give a thrust on their product basket and find out their strengths and bring in necessary adjustments in their product ranges. Citing an example he said: “By today’s standards among integrated steel plants, RSP is a small unit with producing only 1.8 million ton per annum, however, “we are the only unit with such a wonderful bag of product mix and we are also the only unit in the country which sells only finished products, so like us for the smaller units there is no need to feel scared.”
Despite such encouraging notes for the smaller players Dr Mishra thinks that there will be definitely some consolidation in the industry by mergers. And this started with the merger of the British Steel and Hoogevens of Holland to form Corus and at the same time some other European units got together to form Arcelor.
When asked about his view on the Posco project he felt such units would definitely open the door for more investments. However, when he was asked about the ‘import of iron ore clause due to low quality of the raw materials available in the state’ in the recent MoU between Posco and the government, he refused to comment.
He saw a region comprising Orissa, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh becoming the steel hub of the world. “ Sort of Ruhr-belt on this part of the world, for which there is such a rush to this area from all over the world.”
Speaking on the quality of the raw materials he said: “Sail is sourcing its iron ore from this region and we have not faced any problem, and of course the quality of the ore depends from where you are sourcing.” And when the quality of ore is low the standard practice in all the plants is to go for ore blending to get the required quality.
Asked to comment from his experience in RSP on downstream industrialization, he said: “Over Rs. 60 crore order has been placed this year with the local ancillary units and with God’s grace it will go up to Rs 100 crore in the coming years. His advice to the local units was that they must invite investments to undertake bigger, better and sophisticated services.
Informing about the future projects of RSP he said, “ between 2004 - 12 another Rs 4000 crore will be invested as part of up-gradation. And we will get the fifth blast furnace of 2000-meter cube by 2009 - 20010.

SAIL heads told to take additional charges

Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) on Friday announced that two of its existing directors would be given additional charges of Durgapur and Rourkela steel plants from January 1. Managing directors of these two units are scheduled to retire on December 31. Though the names of successors have already been decided, these are yet to be cleared by the Union Steel Ministry.

S.K. Roongta, Director (Commercial) of SAIL, has been asked to take additional responsibility of Durgapur Steel Plant from the outgoing Managing Director, Dr S.K. Bhattacharya.

R.P. Singh, Managing Director of Bhilai Steel Plant, has been given additional charge of Rourkela Steel Plant.

NSS Camp at Gurukul Sanskrit College

NSS camp started in The Gurukul Sanskrit College at Vedvyas. Dr. M. Soren inaugurate the NSS camp. Dr. Soren said to the students they can eradicate the root of evil deeds present in the society. He also advised that students have to be aware to prevent the disease like AIDS.

Model Bhanja Auditorium inaugurated
Rourkela: Rourkela Steel Plant managing director Sanak Mishra on Wednesday inaugurated the Bhanja Auditorium in the Bhanja Kala Kendra premises in presence of RSP and CISF officers, members of Bhanja Cultural Trust, Bhanja Kala Kendra and Adarsha Pathagar.
According to general secretary of Bhanja Cultural Trust Avay Kumar Das, the initiative for construction of the auditorium was taken just four months back with the patronage of trust chairman Dr Mishra. The new model auditorium, constructed at a cost of about Rs 1 crore, consists of 850 seats. It will cater to the requirements of the various cultural troupes to stage their shows and also of different organisations to hold their meetings. Earlier, on Tuesday, in the Indira Gandhi Park, Dr Mishra inaugurated Biju Patnaik Musical Fountain, which has been set up by a Bangalore-base company at a cost of Rs 81 lakh.
(source: The Pioneer, BBSR Edition)
Thanks
Contributed by : Deba Nayak
San Diego

Teachers Arrested by Students

Students of Purusottam Engineering College have demanded to rusticate some of the senior teachers. The students appeared 6^th semester also demanded to increase their marks and complained that they have not given the marks as per their work. Students arrested all the teachers and closed the main gate of the college. In this context teachers said that they had given the marks to the students as per their talent.

Maharaslila

Maharaslila was held at Civil Township near Life Line Hospital. Artist from Brajbhoomi came and showed different naughty activities of Lord Krishna together with Lord Krishna's ring ceremony. Lot of devotees gathered there and engaged them self in the devotion of lord Krishna.

Fine Art Exhibition By Kala Kendra

Institute of Fine Art, Kala Kendra is going to organize a painting exhibition at Hotel ChandraLok, Main Road, Rourkela. The exhibition will be only for two days 24^th and 25^th of December'05. Satyamohan Senapati will inaugurate the exibition as guest. There will be no entry fee and interested person can buy paintings form this exhibition.

Competitions by Vishvakarma Samaj

Vishvakarma Samaj is going to organized different competition like painting, general knowledge and handy craft competition on 25^th December’05. This competition will be held at NSC, ST High School, Sector – 16. The competition will be started at 9.00A.M to 1.00 P.M. Dance and fancy dress competition will also be conducted there. Winners will be awarded on 8^th January’06.

Increment in the seats for Engineering students

Purrusottam Institute of Engineering College is going to increase the seats for the students from coming session. They will increase total thirty seats, at present there are Three Hundred and Sixty seats only and it will be increased up to Three Hundred and Ninety seats. All India Council of Techniqual Education has delivered a letter to the college and informed regarding the increment in the number of seats for the interested students.

NIBMS Coaching Center

Students of NIBMS had achieved a grand success in SAIL MT exams. More than Twenty students from this coaching center passed the exam. Shankar Tudu and Ramesh Sahu students from this coaching center are appointed in Punjab National Bank. From last Seventeen years more than Ten Thousand students had given their best result to this institution.

Knock Out Football Competition

Third Knockout Football competition is going to be held from 10^th of December’05 at Jalda Mili Stadium. This competition will continue for two days, 10^th and 11^th December ’05 . This football competition is organized not only for men but also women can take part in this football competition.

Auction Date Postponded

The date of auction of Government land in Civil Township, Rourkela which was fixed at 8^th December is now postponed to 24^th January’06. District Administration has given a number of reasons behind this and said that this will be an opportunity to others to take part in this auction.

Traffic consciousness

Traffic police has become more conscious towards their rules and discipline. As per the instruction given by S.P. Mr. Dhirendra S. Kutte traffic police are checking the papers and driving license too. Till now Rourkela traffic police has collected Thirty Four Hundred Rupees as fine form those people who were driving with carelessness and without proper driving rules.

Civil Defence and Home Guards

Civil Defence and Home Guards, Rourkela Branch celebrated their anniversary at Rourkela , Udit Nagar Ground. DIG Mr. Satyajeet Mohanty hosted the flag and conveyed the regards on behalf of our Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Chief Minister Mr. Navin Patnayak and Home Minister Mr.Shiv Raj Patil. He appreciated the work done by the Civil Defence. Mr Prakash Chandra Rath and Mr. Sudhir Panda were awarded for their contribution towards the society.

AIDS Chetna Shivir

AIDS Chetna Shivir and Swastha Seva Shivir organized by I.G.H, Rourkela branch on the Chennd Colony. Dr.D.N.Mahapatra invited as a chief guest. He said that AIDS is most dangerous disease which can be safe by taking proper precautions. It was also mentioned there that more number of Shivirs will be located in different areas like Basanti on the coming days. More then Three Hundred people took part in the Shivir. The organizer had also provided the free medical facilities. At the end Mr. Basant Mallik from Youth Hostel given the vote of thanks to all the people.

Football Competition

On the Second Football competition, organized by Chungimati Football Samiti , Jagdishpur village won the competition. Jagdishpur won from Lakhsmiposh village which was held on the Karlakhman village ground on this Sunday. The organizer Chungimati has got the 3^rd position.

11th Annual Celebration of Gyan Mandir

Gyan Mandir, kalinga Bihar had completed its 11^th Annual Celebration and sports competition. On this occasion all the Ex-members and present members were invited and Mr. Rajiv Pani took part as a speaker. In this Eve, S.P Mr. B.M. Patnaik and Mr.Prasad Dhiren invited as guest. The principal of this school discussed the problems and requested the guest to give their suggestions to overcome the problem. The prizes are distributed among the students.