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| JAKFED, SICOP supplying inferior steel worth Rs 375 cr annually | | Is someone looking? | | Avinash Azad
JAMMU, May 2: 'As the king so the subjects' seems fit for functioning of J&K Government since two of its Corporations are allegedly supplying inferior steel TAR/TMT for Government and private establishments in state.
It is taking huge toll on state exchequer, since the payment is being withdrawn against ISI quality material. Sources told Early Times that both JAKFED and SICOP work arbitrarily without exercising proper caution and care, violate norms. "SICOP annually supply TOR/TMT 50,000 MTS worth Rs 250 cr. Supply is being arranged from the mills dealing with manufacturing of TOR/TMT steel", sources said.
They added that all these mill owners were reportedly registered with ISI agency and were supposed to manufacturer with in ISI norms. "The order placing authority in SICOP should invariably check the quality of the steel. But in this case the SICOP authority, despite having its own testing arrangement both at Srinagar and Jammu with latest equipments in the testing houses never undertake test of TAR/TMT steel but only rely on the test certificate issued by the manufacturers", sources claimed, adding that there was no third party testing which should have incorporated in the terms of the order of SICOP.
"Rates allowed to mill owners are of ISI quality but supply is of inferior quality, difference between the two is Rs 4000 per MTS which values at Rs 20 crore," sources said alleging that amount is further being shared by SICOP's management. Similarly, the JAKFED which even has no testing house is also restoring to same means are being adopted by SICOP.
"JAKFED supplies around 25,000 MTS steel annually with value of Rs 125cr. Since JAKFED was running short of funds, that is why corporation has switched over to trading of steel structure," sources informed. He added that difference between the two is Rs 4000 per MTS which values Rs 20 cr annually. The sources also demanded that the stocks lying in their stores of both organizations should be checked.
"Samples of stored steel should examine from at-least two different places to expose the nexus", they added. Both organizations believe on self quality test certifications of the rolling mills while as the SICOP ignores to test the material from its own quality testing houses. "The TMT and TOR steel of untested quality when used in all constrictions are put to great threat. No attention is being paid to areas declared as high risk seismic zones where specified quality of TMT/TOT/Steel is required to be utilized", sources maintained.
It pertinent to mention here that the Steel Authority of India has registered an FIR against M/S Kashmir Steel Rolling Mills for supplying inferior quality of steel to local market in Srinagar and Jammu. However, both Managing Directors JAKFED and SICOP were not available for comment. |
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