Question : Steel Consumption

(a) the total quantity of steel produced and imported for domestic consumption in the country during each of the last three years;

(b) whether the Government is aware of the import, sale and storage of cheaper quality of steel not in conformity with Quality Control Order (QCO), if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to cease the poor quality steel imports and initiated any action against those indulging in such malpractices; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)
STEEL AND MINES

(a) Total production & import of steel during the last 3 years is as follows:-

Year Total Finished Steel (million tones)
Production of Sale Import
2013-14 87.67 5.45
2014-15 92.16 9.32
2015-16* 90.39 11.71
Source: JPC: * prov.

(b) After the issue of the quality control orders, import of seconds & defective products by some unscrupulous importers were reported in respect of some categories of steel products. However, Government does not maintain data on import, sale and storage of such sub-standard steel products standards-wise.

(c)&(d): Government has notified the following Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Orders inter-alia to ensure availability of quality steel to end-users.

(i) Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2012.
(ii) Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Second Order, 2012.
(iii) Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2015.

Further, Government has issued orders to allow import of steel products strictly as per the aforesaid Steel Quality Control Order inter-alia prohibiting import of sub-standard steel products not conforming to the relevant Indian Standards.

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