Mar 06, 2003 07:12 AM
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(Updated Mar 06, 2003 07:14 AM)
The Steel Authority of India Limited, popularly known as SAIL is a very important public sector unit of the Government of India, as it deals with the basic item necessary for any industry. Iron and Steel are necessary industrial infrastructures without which a country can not progress. Iron is necessary for construction, big and small; for agriculture and for transport. Steel is necessary for heavy industry, light industry, cottage and small scale industries and the like.
India had one Iron and Steel Plant at Tatanagar, Jamshedpur, called Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO), established by Sir Jamshetji Tata. This was the pre-independence scenario.
After independence, a Steel Plant was established at Rourkela, Orissa, in German collaboration. Rourkela has grown to be a modern industrial city. The first closed circuit TV was organised by the Rourkela Steel Company (RSP) for its workers and their families. The aim was to provide infotainment. A Regional Engineering College came up at Rourkela to get the benefits of RSP. Another Steel Plant was established at Bhillai, Madhya Pradesh, in Russian collaboration. It is also a modern township. Biju Patnaik, the dynamic Chief Minister of Orissa wanted to establish the second Steel Plant in Orissa, but his untimely death put his ideas in cold storage. His son, who is now the Chief Minister of Orissa, should see that his father's dream becomes a reality.
From a pin to an aircraft, heavy military tank and spacecraft, India needs steel. In the domestic sector, India needs stainless steel to manufacture Surgeon's knives and other surgical implements and stainless steel tumblers, and other items like Coffee Grinders necessary in the kitchen.
So, for such an essential item in the Indian economy, it is SAIL which should continue sailing for ever.
