Housing schemes, defence needs to push steel demand: Minister
Bengaluru, June 29: Demand for steel is expected to grow for meeting the needs of the state-run flagship schemes like Make in India, housing projects and the defence sector, said Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh on Friday.
"Demand for value-added and sophisticated grade of steel is expected to grow to meet the needs of state initiatives like Make in India, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gramin Vikas Yojana and the defence sector," he told reporters after the National Steel Consumers' Council meeting here.
With per capita consumption of steel in India at around 68 kg, it stands at less than a third of the global average consumption of around 208 kg, the Minister noted.
"The issues of demand, supply, product innovations and logistics require serious deliberations. The Consumers' Council needs to draw the expected roadmap of logistics for seeking priority attention of policy makers," he added.
Steel contributes about 2 per cent to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
"The state has identified infrastructure as a priority sector, which is bound to bolster the GDP growth rate. Considering the advantages of steel-based structures like lower lifecycle and high design flexibility, steel is a major material in infrastructure development," added Singh.
The Union government's programmes including Smart Cities Mission, Housing for All, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation and modernisation of defence sector are expected to use domestic steel, the Minister said.
"These initiatives will provide the additional push to increase the domestic steel demand in short-to-medium term," he added.
There is, however, a need for the industry and steel consumers to work together to promote the usage of steel in hilly areas, railways and development of special grades for energy and medical purposes etc, Singh said.
During the Consumers' Council meeting, a mobile app of the state-run MSTC Ltd, an e-commerce undertaking of the Ministry of Steel, was launched in order to bring buyers and sellers closer.
Minister of State for Steel Vishnu Deo Sai was also present on the occasion.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
