KATHMANDU — Because of their poor quality, the Government of Nepal banned the selling of iron rods produced by Jagdamba Steels. Jagadamba Steels and Cement Industry is a subsidiary company under The Sankhar Group. On Friday, the Nepal Standards and Metrology Department wrote an elaborate letter to the company directing it not to sell the 16 mm TMT bar produced by them. The department claimed that the selling had to come to a halt after they found that the company was using excessive chemicals than the normal standard while making the poles, and Jagdamba had compromised the efficiency.
Bishwababu Pudasaini, director-general of the Nepal Standards and Metrology Department, mentioned: “We had tested it in the laboratory after receiving complaints from consumers about the quality. We have stopped the sale as it does not meet the criteria.“
He further mentioned, “We have asked them to take back the substandard products sold in the market and inform them, if the department’s directive is disobeyed, further action will be taken.” The department has also demanded more information from the organization within 15 days to submit the proof of cleanliness to the department.
Based on the complaint, an industry-produced product of 16 mm TMT bar fee 500 was checked in the department laboratory and found to be of poor quality. Shrikrishna Bhattarai of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-16, Kharibot, Bohoratar found a 16 mm pole of Jagdamba Steel broken while constructing a house. Bhattarai then filed a petition seeking standard inspection, reimbursement, and enforcement. The department had conducted the examination, claiming the pole was of inferior quality. After examination, it was found that Jagadamba Steels has a high level of chemicals. If sulfur and carbon concentrations are strong, the rod becomes strong. If the rod’s ductility is low, it splits and bends.
Performance by Jagdamba Steels has been challenged in the past. The company has been found to be sending its employee to the location where the issue occurred. They have mediated with the customers by promising security insurance for a house safety and that take would be liable in cases of further damage. The manufacturer has also promised that Bhattarai’s Bohoratar home will be covered and insured.
By excreting and grinding pieces of metal and rust, many industries including Jagadamba make their rods. Industries like Jagadamba have a melting furnace where they melt these metals and produce iron rods. Primary blades are made of materials directly bought from the mines. Rods that are made from primary blades are better than rods made using secondary blades (which are made by recycling already used metals). However, using secondary blades is economically beneficial to the manufacture.
Although the steel industry in Nepal has been doing a good job producing materials in Nepal per se; however, compromising their efficiency and quality has been a serious issue.
