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MD, Jindal Stainless, Mr Abhyuday Jindal 

“Due to the heavy dependence of stainless steel manufacturing on industrial gases such as propane/ LPG and natural gas, several processes across our plants have been adversely impacted. Unlike conventional steel industry, which largely utilises blast furnace and coke oven gases as energy sources, the stainless steel industry follows the scrap-based production route where such gases are not generated internally. Given the constraints in fuel availability, our plants are operating at a rationalised capacity. 

Additionally, disruptions in global shipping routes are resulting in vessel diversions, longer transit times, and cargo delays, which are also placing additional pressure on supply chains and margins. 

We appreciate that the Government is fully seized of the matter and is actively prioritising fuel allocation for critical sectors. Clarity on the allocation percentage for industrial propane/LPG and natural gas, along with assurance of regular supplies, will be important for the stainless steel industry to plan and optimise operations. In the absence of such clarity, we foresee a cascading effect across the industry, the severity of which will depend on how quickly these issues are resolved."