Union Minister for Steel and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar feels that in the past one year, the BJP Government excelled on almost all the fronts.
"Every Indian should be proud of the achievements of this Government. In just one year, India is being listed among the advanced countries while Pakistan was isolated and this was possible due to a strong foreign policy of the Modi Government," he added.
Among his departments, India stood third in production of crude steel in the first two months of the year 2015.
While talking to 'The Pioneer' on the completion of one year of the BJP Government at the Centre, Tomar listed the achievements of his departments. He said that as per the figures of the World Steel Association, the country was on the fourth position in crude steel production in 2014, but in January-February, India has left behind even America.
He said that steel contributes two per cent in the GDP and provides direct employment to around six lakh people.
Besides, the country remained on the top in sponge iron production, he added.
Informing about increase in the steel production, he stated that the Government is working on different projects for increasing the steel production upto 300 MTPA by 2025. With this, there would be an increase of three-fold in employment generation.
The country's biggest blast furnace plant Kalyani was commissioned at Steel Authority of India limited (SAIl) Burnpur steel plant (Rourkela) in November 2014. India's second biggest blast furnace Durga is also situated in Rourkela.
Besides, in the mining department, in the past one year, the Government benefited the States by increasing the royalty of major minerals excluding coal and lignite. With this, the royalty revenue has increased in a few States upto 45 per cent. Besides, the States' royalty revenue is likely to increase upto Rs 13,300 crore from Rs 9,400 crore.
Tomar said that after assuming office, he had taken stern action towards checking the illegal mining. Now, the punishment for illegal mining has been increased to five years' imprisonment and fine upto Rs 5 lakh per hectare, he added.