Ministry : Ministry of Steel (Not Applicable)
Part II-Section 3-Sub-Section (ii)
Subject : Extra Ordinary
Overview [Extraordinary Gazette of India, S.O. 1868(E), 25 April 2025]
The Gazette issues two key notifications: (1) constitution of the Joint Plant Committee for iron and steel statistics and (2) appointment of officers/adjudicating authorities under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, mandating data collection from iron and steel sector informants.
Key Points
- S.O. 1868(E): Mandates monthly/quarterly collection of prices, production, capacity, inventory, trade, and environmental data from iron and steel producers, traders, and associations nationwide.
- S.O. 2368(E) supersession: Replaces the June 2024 notification, updating statistical procedures under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.
- Joint Plant Committee (Kolkata): Designated as the primary agency for coordinating data collection, inspection, and verification across India’s iron and steel sector.
- Officer appointments: Deputy Director (Statistics Division) serves as both Statistics Officer and Adjudicating Officer; Deputy Director General acts as Appellate Authority.
- Compliance framework: Informants must submit prescribed electronic/physical returns; authorized officers may inspect records and verify data authenticity.
Summary [S.O. 1868(E), 25 April 2025]
This Gazette notification strengthens the government’s statistical monitoring of the iron and steel sector by formalizing data collection protocols and institutional oversight. It establishes the Joint Plant Committee as the central coordination body and defines clear roles for adjudicating officers, ensuring compliance with the Collection of Statistics Act. The move aims to enhance policy formulation, market transparency, and regulatory oversight of India’s critical steel industry through standardized, mandatory reporting.
