New Delhi, Oct 15: Government has estimated finished steel production at 140.75 lakh tonnes during the period April-august, 2003, an increase of 6.4 per cent from the industry output in the corresponding period last year. The production of pig iron in the country was recorded at 22.30 lakh tonnes as against 21.80 lakh tonnes during the same period last year showing an increase of 2.29 per cent, an official release said here.
The steel exports during the period rose by a whopping 45.80 per cent. The Steel Authority of India and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd exported 83000 tonnes and 45,000 tonnes respectively during the month of august 2003, it said.

The consumption of finished steel items during the five-month period recorded a 2.1 per cent rise by clocking 118 lakh tonnes, the release said, adding the consumption of pig iron too registered a rise of 2.97 per cent during the same period as against the corresponding period last year. Bureau Report