India's Steel Ministry Opposes Import Limits on Key Steelmaking Ingredient

06 Jun 2024 CW Team

India's Ministry of Steel has expressed opposition to limiting imports of low ash metallurgical coke, an essential raw material for steel production, according to a source familiar with the matter and a government note reviewed by Reuters. This stance could hinder local producers who have raised concerns about rising imports since 2019/20.

In April, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), under the trade ministry, recommended capping these imports at 2.85 million metric tons for a year, following complaints from local producers. The final decision, however, rests with the commerce ministry, which has yet to comment.

The steel ministry?s resistance to import restrictions is driven by strong domestic demand and issues with the quality of local production. ?The domestic merchant producers of coke are not fully capable of meeting the demand of met coke of the country, particularly on quality grounds,? stated Nagendra Nath Sinha, the ministry?s top civil servant, in a letter to the trade ministry dated May 29.

India, the world's second-largest crude steel producer, has seen its imports of low ash metallurgical coke surge over 61% in the past four years, primarily from China, Indonesia, and Poland. The ministry warned that adopting DGTR?s recommendations could disrupt supply chains, production, and the steel industry?s downstream customers.

A senior executive at a major steel mill, requesting anonymity, highlighted that import restrictions would elevate steel prices and increase costs for coking coal, further burdening smaller steel producers.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..