JSW Steel to cut down production in the wake of Covid -19 outbreak

KOLKATA: JSW Steel, one of the country's largest private steel companies, has decided to scale down/ suspend production at its units in the wake of the global outbreak of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

"Following the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 for a 21-day nationwide lockdown (w.e.f March 25, 2020) and the various advisories/directives issued by local Municipal Corporations, State and Central Governments considering the evolving scenario of complete lockdown with exception to certain specified essential activities, the manufacturing operations in all of our locations have since been either scaled down or suspended (in certain locations)," the company said in an official notification to the BSE on Wednesday.

The move will affect the capacity utilisation which is expected to go down significantly during this period of lockdown, the statement added.

"The overall adverse impact on the operations of the company during the period of this lockdown, on account of the above and the expected financial impact, is not ascertainable at this stage," the statement added.

Steel is classified as an essential commodity under the Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1981 (ESMA). However, the company said it has taken the decision "to scale down / suspend production to support the cause of containment of the pandemic COVID-19, notwithstanding the exception to manufacturing units with continuous operation and the units producing essential commodities."

JSW Steel said it will continue to "closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action as per the directions issued by regulatory authorities from time to time, keeping in view the health and safety of all of its employees and their families and the interest of the nation at large."

The statement from JSW Steel also said it had been taking various precautionary it measures to ensure the safety and health of the employees and their families, at all its offices and manufacturing locations in India and abroad.