New Delhi, Sept. 17 -- TheGovernment of Indiais preparing to launch a Rs 5,000-crore national mission aimed at helping thesteel industryadopt cleaner and more sustainable production methods.

The initiative seeks to cut carbon emissions from both primary (blast furnace-based) and secondary (electric arc and induction furnace) steelmaking.

According toN. N. Rao,Ministry of SteelSecretary, secondary producers-who rely on scrap and sponge iron-will be a major focus of the plan as they contribute nearly half of India's steel output.

The mission is expected to support these producers in transitioning to low-carbon technologies and increasing energy efficiency.

The scheme will offer a mix of financial tools, including concessional loans, ris...