Kolkata, Sep 28 (PTI) State-owned National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) on Monday paid a record dividend of Rs 1,083.06 crore to the Centre for 2025-26, as the government pushed for development of a stronger downstream aluminium industry.
NALCO CMD Brijendra Pratap Singh handed over the dividend cheque to Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy in the presence of Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra at a programme in Kolkata.
The Navratna CPSE paid a total dividend of Rs 2,112.12 crore, equivalent to 230 per cent of the paid-up equity share capital, including three interim dividends and the final dividend.
This is the highest-ever dividend paid by NALCO, which reported a profit after tax of Rs 5,815.76 crore for 2025-26.
Speaking at a roadshow organised by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) in association with Assocham, Reddy said aluminium would play a key role in India’s journey towards an “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
“India currently imports nearly USD 4 billion worth of high-finish aluminium products, even with substantial domestic capacity,” he said, stressing the need to increase production, promote value addition and build a stronger downstream ecosystem.
Chandra said the aluminium sector needed to move beyond primary production towards high-value finished products, with greater technology infusion and indigenous research and development.
The government wants NALCO to eventually stop exporting alumina and instead convert it into value-added products, he said.
NALCO currently produces around 2.1 million tonnes of alumina annually and exports about 0.13 million tonnes, he added.
IDCO Managing Director D Prasanth Kumar Reddy said the Angul Aluminium Park in Odisha, with its molten metal corridor and availability of land, water and energy, was poised for significant expansion.
Angul Aluminium Park Pvt Ltd is a joint initiative of IDCO and NALCO, with the two entities holding 51 per cent and 49 per cent stakes, respectively.
The park offers industrial land, power, water, road connectivity and research and testing facilities. NALCO will supply 50,000 tonnes of hot metal annually to investors at a discounted rate.
More than 250 representatives from investor groups and industry bodies attended the event. PTI BSM SOM
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