‘Production at BSl will stop from August 23 as stock of iron ore would be finished’
Misuse of imported coal and electricity continues inside the Bokaro Steel Plant (BSl) despite the fact that the plant is witnessing prolonged Power and Iron ore crisis.
Reeling under acute power crisis BSl forced to shutdown its many units while shortage of iron ore is also hindering productions at the plant. “Production will be halted as stock of iron ore would be finished on August 23,” said Sanjay Tewary, Chief of Communication BSl on Wednesday.
Ironically, enough misuse of electricity and imported coal (low ash Australian coal) is witnessed on the plant premises. Flouting the norms several canteens are using imported coal to cook food even the BSl’s Executive Directors’ building canteen was found flouting the norms.
At least 53 canteens (including 30 temporary and 23 permanent sheds) are running insides the plant are illegally using coal to cook meals, said a plant offcial requesting anonymity.
Out of 23 permanent canteens five were allotted to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation limited (IRCTC) on license by BSl to operate are – at ADM Building, ED (Works) building, Slabbing Mill, SMS – II and Coke Oven; the MoU was signed on 27 December 2012 between BSl and IRCTC, sources said.
As per the MoU BSl made payment of Rs 45 lakh (45,23,881.74/-) for supply and installations of equipment and utensils to IRCTC for that canteens. “According to the norms lPG gas has to be used for cooking at canteen. Though the electricity supplies are free to the canteens but use of electricity in cooking are strictly prohibited,” a source said.
Against the norms, most of the canteen operators illegally using electricity for cooking, while most of them are also using ‘imported coal’ for the same, he said.
Bokaro Steel Plant is having a number of Canteens to cater to the needs of its employees, contract workers and visitors. Over a period of time, it was seen that employees as well as unions are complaining against the quality of eatables, services and hygiene of these canteens so BSl singed an MoU with IRCTC to provide canteen service in plant, said a BSl official.
IRCTC having expertise in catering services is operating some of the Canteens of ISP, Burnpur, Rourkela Steel Plant and Bhilai Steel Plant. Considering the capability of IRCTC in running industrial canteens and their willingness to operate and maintain canteens of BSl five canteens were handover to them, said the official.
Meanwhile, COC BSl Sanjay Tewary denied from any misuse of power and imported coal at Bokaro steel plant. Bokaro Steel Plant, which contributes more than a quarter of SAIl’s profits, ran out of iron ore, stock would be finished on 23 August 2014. lease of the current mining areas at Bokaro’s including Gua mines yet to be renewed, BSl sources said.