The JSPL plant at Patratu

Ranchi, June 29: A review of industrial units that have started production in the state after signing MoUs in 2005 and 2007 will be conducted on Saturday and Monday.

However, the state industry department does not have much to showcase except the only mega-sector investor, Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL).

Other players to be reviewed are either polluting sponge iron units or induction furnaces. The list includes Nilanchal Iron and Power Limited, Adhunik Alloy & Power Limited, Kohinoor Ispat, Anindita Traders, Jharkhand Ispat and Narsingh Ispat among others. Industry secretary Amarendra Pratap Singh will chair the meeting.

“We will try to find out what progress has been made by these companies and whether they are facing any problem in various stages of production,” deputy director of the industry department B.M.L. Das told The Telegraph.

Barring JSPL, a majority of small players are yet to be allotted iron ore mines. However, the state has promised to provide some linkages through Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation.

Congress MP Naveen Jindal-owned JSPL started production a couple of months ago after acquiring an ailing unit of Bihar Alloys and Steel Limited at Balkudra near Patratu in Ranchi district. The company owns a 0.6-million tonne per annum capacity wire rod mill plant, part of a 6MTPA unit proposed in Balkudra.

However, JSPL is far behind schedule as far as its earlier proposed plant of 5MTPA in Asanboni near Jamshedpur is concerned. “We are yet to get a big iron ore mine to meet our requirement. We will raise the issue at the meeting,” JSPL’s senior deputy general manager S.P. Sharan said.

A final report will be submitted to the chief secretary, who heads an empowered committee to decide on important matters.