CHENNAI: A delegation of Salem Steel Plant officers called on the chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday and urged him to begin the revival plan mooted by the employees of the stainless steel major that was facing the risk of being privatised because of financial distress.
Led by P Selvamani, president, Salem Steel Executives Association (SSEA), the representatives submitted a memorandum to the chief minister enlisting the steps needed to infuse fresh blood into the struggling public sector unit.
“One of the main demands is preferential procurement of stainless steel for all infrastructure projects from Salem Steel Plant. We also requested the chief minister to take steps to procure power for the plant from Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) at lower costs instead of buying from the State Government,” Selvamani said.
The officers of the steel firm also wanted an exclusive down-stream stainless steel industrial park set up through SIPCOT for creating jobs for the local people.
Another key point in the revival plan is to organise a stainless steel industrial investors meet at Salem to promote stainless steel downstream industries. Moreover, the chief minister was also urged to sanction soft loans for infusing new life to the public sector unit.