Question : MISSING TRUCKS AND EXPLOSIVES

(a) whether there are reports that several trucks loaded with explosives sent from Madhya Pradesh to Rajasthan went missing;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the total number of trucks and quantum of explosive recovered by security agencies;

(c) whether the Government has engaged the National Investigation Agency in this case;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the present status of the investigation;

(e) whether the Union Government has received any report from the Government of Madhya Pradesh in this regard;

(f) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Union Government in this regard;and

(g) the steps taken to check such incidents in future?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MULLAPPALY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. However, The Rajasthan Police has informed that 57 trucks of explosives material sold by M/s. Rajasthan Explosives and Chemicals Ltd. (RECL), Dholpur, Rajasthan to M/s Ganesh Explosives, Sagar District, Madhya Pradesh and 103 trucks sold to M/s Sangam Traders, Chanderi, District Ashok Nagar, Madhya Pradesh did not reach the said firms. These explosives were diverted to various other places like Bhilwara, Rajasthan, Biaora, Raigarh District, Madhya Pradesh and Ahmed Nagar, Maharashtra.The Rajasthan Police has so far recovered 9126 Kg of explosives class second, 130623 meters of cord and safety fuse wire and 20305 electric and ordinary detonators. They have seized 16 explosive vans used to transport the explosives.

(c) to (f): The Government of Madhya Pradesh has requested to get the matter investigated by a National Agency due to diversion of explosives in different States. The case has not been referred to National Investigating Agency (NIA) but they have presently been asked to co-ordinate the matter with the Police Department of concerned States.

(g): The Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), who administers the Explosives Act, 1884 and Explosives Rules, 2008 have suspended/ cancelled the licences of firms involved in sale/ purchase of explosives relating to this incidence. The PESO have issued detailed instructions to all the manufacturers and sellers of explosives to follow procedures for preventing recurrence of such incidents including, inter-alia, verification of licences and indents etc. DIPP has constituted a Working Group to regulate the manufacturing, distribution, sale and purchase of industrial explosives. The group is represented by concerned Ministries and representatives from explosive manufactures/ associations/ dealers.