Kolkata, Aug 24: A joint delegation of the Steel Re-Rolling Mills Association of India and the West Bengal Sponge Iron Manufacturers Association, including Mr. Lalit Beriwala, Director, Shyam Steel, met Shri Tapas Roy, Minister-in-Charge, Industry & Commerce, and Dr. Ajay Poddar, Minister-in-Charge, PWD & PHE, in Kolkata onFridaytodiscussissuesconcerning power tariffs, high-grade coal availability and ironoresupplyforthestate’ssteelindustry.Smt.Vandana Yadav, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises, was also present during the meeting.
The meeting brought together representatives from thesteelmanufacturingecosystemandseniorstate officials at a time when input costs and raw material availability remain important considerations for industrial activity in West Bengal. The delegation placed three key proposals before the government, covering the proposed WBSEDCL power tariff increase, allocation of 10 million tonnes of high-grade coalannuallyfromEasternCoalfieldsLimited ,andaccessto15–20milliontonnesofironorefines and lumps from Odisha Mining Corporation through the West Bengal Mineral Development & Trading Corporation.
The issue of power tariffs emerged as one of the principal concerns during the meeting. WBSEDCL has proposed an increase of ₹1 per unit for 33 KVA connections and ₹1.50 per unit for 11 KVA connections, effective September 1, 2026. While discussions indicated that the increase could be limited to 50 paise per unit, the industry has sought a complete waiver of the proposed hike, citing its potential impact on the operating environment for energy-intensive manufacturing.
The delegation also sought an annual allocation of 10 million tonnes of high-grade coal, with a GCV of 6,100–6,400, from ECL to support sponge iron production. The proposal includes 5 million tonnes from the Sonepur Bazari mines and another 5 million tonnes from other ECL collieries. The industry has suggested that the coal be sourced locally through linkage auctions or allotment via WBMDTC. According to the proposal, greater access to domestic high-grade coal could reduce dependence on South African imports and strengthen the local sponge iron manufacturing base.
The third proposal concerned the availability of iron ore. The industry has sought 15–20 million tonnes of iron ore fines and lumps from the Odisha Mining Corporation, routed through WBMDTC, for sponge iron and pellet manufacturers in West Bengal.
For Shyam Steel, the discussions underline the wider significance of input availability and cost competitiveness for the state’s manufacturing sector. With steel production closely linked to the availability of power and raw materials, the outcome of such policy discussions could haveimplications not only for individual manufacturers but also for future industrial activity and investment in the state.
Mr.Lalit Beriwala, Director, Shyam Steel, said,
“For the steel industry, reliable access to competitively pricedpowerandessentialrawmaterials is fundamental to maintaining manufacturing competitiveness. These discussions are important because the issues extend beyond individual companies and have a bearing on the wider industrial environment in the state. A coordinated approach between the government and industry can help address theseconcernswhileprovidinggreatercertaintyforbusinesseslooking at the next phase of growth and investment in West Bengal.”
The meeting concluded with the state government representatives expressing support for the development of the steel sector and assuring the delegation of swift and coordinated action on the issues raised.
ThedelegationwasledbyShriVivekAdukia,Chairman,SRMA,theapexbodyrepresentingsteel re-rolling mills, and included Mr. Lalit Beriwala(Director,ShyamSteel),alongwithotherseniorindustry representatives Mr. Anand Saraogi, Mr. Dipak Agarwal and Mr. PradeepGuptafromthesteelre-rolling and sponge iron sector.