Total debts of the company slid to ₹35,350 Crores, down ₹1,600 crores, in FY21. This improved the debt-equity ratio to 0.87 on 31.03.2021 from 1.36 as on 31.03.2020. With the highest-ever EBITDA of ₹13,740 Crore in FY21, up 23% over CPL, the company was better positioned to service its debts and plan for expansion.

Indianmandarins research shows that the company has also reported outstanding performance in Q1FY22. As a result, institutional investors have been raising their stakes in the company. In the last one year, SAIL shares have given an absolute return of 209.1% Vs the Sensex 57.1%, according to a prominent market advisory service that has placed a strong buy call on the share.  

According to the chairperson, improved profitability was achieved by higher sales of secondary products, sale of iron ore fines, lower usage of other raw materials, improvement in techno-economic parameters, benefit in stores and spares expenses, decreased purchased power rates, reduction in interest charges, higher dividend income and forex exchange gain among others. This raised Profit Before Tax (PBT) of the company at the highest level in the last ten years.

She said SAIL made optimal utilization of the operational facilities instead of operating a greater number of facilities at a sub-optimal level. Along with the reduction in cost by reducing consumption level for various inputs, the capital repairs were also preponed wherever feasible. In these trying times, the company maximized sales volumes through potential channels like exports, dispatch to Railways while it reduced cash outflows by reviewing commitments and renegotiating contracts among others.

Ms. Mondal said initiatives have been taken to increase the company's distribution networks by targeting defined market segments. The company is also expanding its 2-Tier and 1-Tier distribution network across the country to strengthen its retail presence.

She added that not only did the Company focussed on continuing its operations with minimum disruptions, but also ensured this was achieved without compromising the safety of employees and population in the nearby areas.

In fact, the Company was a front-runner in partnering with the Nation in its fight against Covid-19 Pandemic. She informed the shareholders about the scaled response activated by SAIL for management of the Covid-19 outbreak across all locations of its presence.

Ms. Mondal detailed to the shareholders the measures taken by the Company to counter the impact of the Covid pandemic along with discharging its social responsibility by setting up special Covid hospitals and supplying medical oxygen to the needy places.