Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Steel

03-August-2015 15:19 IST

Institute for Steel Development and Growth (INSDAG)  promotes steel consumption in rural areas by various ways and means. Apart from propagating newer areas / ways of steel usages, INSDAG also focuses on improving the current practices of various steel based constructions in rural areas. Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) construction is a predominant construction methodology being followed in most of the areas across the country where steel in the form of reinforcement bars is used.  In order to improve the quality of such construction where mostly semi-skilled or unskilled labourers are working, INSDAG has developed a   training module for masons containing the following to make them aware of some of the best practices as per the latest standards;

-     Earthquake Resistant ductile detailing

-     Good Construction practices at site

-     Good safety practices during cutting, bending, binding, storage, etc.

-     Recognition of correct construction materials

-     Identification of common bad practices at site and remedial measures thereof

-     Issues pertaining to Rusting and Corrosion

Some training materials are added to the main module for local engineers and they are also included as attendees along with masons / bar benders in most places.

The sponsoring steel producers decide the location and venue of such training.  Till date, INSDAG has undertaken 45 training programmes in the states of West Bengal, Assam, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar and Jharkhand at the venues sponsored by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) and Tata Steel for 1881 participants which include masons, local architects & engineers.

Expenditure for training is borne by the sponsoring steel producers.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel and Mines Shri Vishnu Deo Sai  provided this information in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Training programmes for rural RCC construction enhance mason skills and safety under industry sponsored modules. INSDAG conducts training programmes to improve rural RCC construction quality where semi skilled labour predominates; the mason module addresses earthquake resistant detailing, site construction and safety practices, material recognition, common bad practices and remedial measures, and rust and corrosion issues. Local engineers are included, additional materials are provided for them, and programmes are held at sponsor decided venues with expenditures borne by sponsoring steel producers; the scheme and its sponsorship were disclosed in response to a parliamentary question.