India's small mills cease production

India’s small mills cease production

The July increase in power tariffs of India's Chattisgarh province caused the small steelmakers in the province to cut off their production as a protest. There are 115 small mills in Chattisgarh and these mills produce around 2.5 million metric tons of steel per annum which accounts for almost 10 percent of total steel output in India. Almost all of the small steel mills in the province participated in the protest and said that they would resume production only if the government brings down the power tariffs. The tariff rate is Rupee 4.60 per unit ($0.10) while steelmakers ask for Rupee 2.50 ($0.055).