'Melt and Pour' rule notified for govt steel projects

The Centre has notified the revised Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products Policy 2025, focusing on steel procurement from public sector units (PSUs) for government projects.

Under the revised policy, domestically produced steel that meets the stringent 'melt and pour' condition will be preferred in government procurement. Earlier policies prescribed a minimum domestic value addition requirement for steel to be procured, but the revised policy makes it difficult for any steel used in government projects to be manufactured anywhere but India.

"Minimum value addition requirement has room for steel to be imported and converted to downstream finished products, and still be able to participate in government procurement projects. With melt and pour, the participant has to manufacture crude steel starting from the basic raw materials in India," said Ritabrata Ghosh, vice president & sector head-corporate ratings, ICRA Limited.