The Indian Steel Industry, recorded a production of 23.37 million tonnes, of finished steel which was 2.8% more than the previous year.

  India continued to be the 10^th largest Steel Producer in the world during 1997-98.

 India exported a record 3.04 million tonnes of iron and steel valued at Rs. 2,937 crores.

 India continues to be the second largest producer of sponge iron in the world. During 1997-98, India produced 5.325 Million Tonnes of Sponge Iron.

  SAIL recorded a turnover of Rs. 14,624 crores during 1997-98. The turnover (Prov.) for the first half of 1998-99 was Rs. 6794 crores.

  SAIL in its four Integrated Steel Plants achieved the best ever production of Hot Metal (1 1.6 MT), Crude Steel (10.3 MT) and Saleable Steel (8.7 MT) during 1997-98. During April~Sept., 1998 the production was 5.38 MT, 4.70 MT and 3.84 MT of Hot Metal, Crude Steel and Saleable Steel respectively.

 An expenditure of Rs. 1955 crores was incurred by SAIL on fixed assets and other capital schemes in 1997-98 and Rs. 996 crores (Provisional) was the capital expenditure during first half of 1998-99. AB these funded without any budgetary support.

 SAIL undertook improvement of major techno economic parameters with energy consumption being the lowest since inception in 1997-98, improvement was also maintained during April-Sept., 1998, thereby reducing the cost of production.

  Steel and Pig Iron worth of Rs. 1087 crores was exported by SAIL to USA, Nepal, Sri Lanka, European countries and other during 1997-98.

 VSP was awarded the ISO-9002 for Steel Melting Shop and downstream units and is the first integrated steel plant to achieve this distinction.

 During first half year 1998-99 (April -Sept. 98) VSP increased its production of Liquid & Saleable steel by 4% over previous year.

 India exported 29.8 million tonnes of iron ore during 1997-98 as against 27.0 million tonnes in 1996-97.

 NMDC produced 14.59 million tonnes of Iron Ore During 1997-98.

 NMDC exported 7.2 million tonnes of iron ore valued at Rs. 516 crores.

 NMDC paid the highest ever dividend of 25% on paid-up capital (amounting to Rs. 36.34 crores) for 1997-98. This is the eighth year in succession for payment of dividend.

 Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) paid dividend for 1997-98 at the rate of 3.50%. This was the 6th year in succession for payment of dividend.

 Export of 2.8 million tonnes of pellets by KIOCL in 1997-98 is the highest annual export so far exceeding the previous highest of 2.58 million tonnes in 1995-96.

 KIOCL achieved highest annual turnover of Rs. 593.91 crores in 1997-98 - the previous highest being 492.59 crores in 1996-97.