New tender process will enhance supply of explosives: SCCL Director

Hyderabad A new tender process has been initiated to further enhance the supply of explosives required for removal of overburden in surface mines at Singareni, said S Chandrasekhar, Director (Operations), State run Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). He explained that after examining the policies adopted by companies like Coal India in the case of supply contracts for explosives, the new tender would incorporate several terms with the utmost transparency and full rationality.

He conducted Pre-Bid meeting with K Suryanarayana, General Manager (Coordination); A Ramesh Rao, GM (CMC); LV Suryanarayana, GM (Explosives) at Singareni Bhavan along with explosives suppliers.

The Director said that various provisions have been included in the Tender Invitation Notice (NIT) to enable performance-based incentives after studying the field level issues faced by the explosives supply companies. He also said it would continue to impose penalties if the supply was not met desired levels. Representatives of Explosives Supply Companies were also briefed on the various new terms and conditions.

Representatives of the Explosives Supplier Company said that in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, there was a shortage of Ammonium Nitrate, the raw material required for the Explosives, in the international market. Representatives of the respective organisations demanded that the rules be simplified and some more facilities be made available.

Director S Chandrasekhar advised the companies to be cautious in the case of explosives and to arrange replacements in advance. We will also conduct a comprehensive study on the pricing and procedures of explosives at Coal India and other companies. He said the tender process would be held after all scrutiny and co-operation would be sought for the removal of OB in Singareni would go smoothly.