Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday constituted an inter-ministerial group (IMG) to suggest measures to ensure early completion of major investments in the steel sector.
?The IMG will monitor and co-ordinate issues concerning major steel investments in the country? said a senior government official.
The IMG will recommend measures to ensure proper availability of iron ore and coal for the sector.
Additionally, the IMG will also take up infrastructure related constraints, which will impend investments in the steel sector and will suggest measures to improve road, rail and ports network connectivity.
Ways for speedy environmental clearance for the projects and ensure availability of land, water resources and issues on relief and rehabilitation, will also be taken up by the panel.
The constitution of IMG comes at a time when, Korean steel giant Posco and Arcelor-Mittal are facing hurdles in their path of proposed investment.
Both the companies are facing problems in getting captive iron ore mines to operationalise their mega projects in Orissa and Jharkhand. Posco has to confront with stiff opposition in the process of land acquisition for its 12-billion-tonne steel plant in Orissa.
The IMG will be headed by the steel secretary and comprises of secretaries of DIPP, railways, shipping, road transport and highways, mines, environment and forests, besides chief secretaries of concerned states.
Joint secretary in ministry of steel will function as the conveyor of IMG.