Radioactivity-hit Indian engineering exporters are rushing to buy mini-rads, a device to measure levels of contamination.
KOLKATA: Radioactivity-hit Indian engineering exporters are rushing to buy mini-rads, a device to measure levels of contamination. This is a measure to contain the fallout on the $4 billion engineering exports to the US, following the detection of radioactive traces on some Indian engineering products by the US customs department.
The mini-rads are being imported at $2,000 apiece on the advice of the US embassy in New Delhi, so that every consignment of engineering products shipped to US ports can be checked for radioactive traces before they leave Indian shores.
However, the US customs department’s suggestion for installation of radioactive scanners at major Indian ports under US supervision has been ruled out by the Centre, as such a measure would infringe on sovereignty and internal security.
Around 200 containers of engineering casting products, valued at Rs 20 crore, have been seized by the US customs at various ports, following the detection of radioactive contamination. The US authorities have claimed that engineering products were contaminated since they were made of scrap steel originating from war zones across the world.
However, the Indian engineering industry maintains that while exports were not contaminated, some packaging material like nails could be contaminated, with the possibility of it being made from imported scrap iron.
The flurry of activity to import mini-rads stems from exporters’ concern on protecting Indian engineering exports to the US, one of the most lucrative markets in the world. India exports engineering goods worth around $ 4 billion to the US and it is growing at an annual rate of 37%.
“Every engineering exporter is now using mini-rads to check radioactive contamination of shipments before they leave Indian shores. But this is just a precautionary measure and no guarantee for consignments will get cleared by US Customs,” said Rajesh Shah, chairman, Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC).
“The issue of radioactivity has arisen, simply because there are no established measuring norms nor pre-determined permissible limits. The US rules are based on ‘zero tolerance,’ which is impossible to meet. However, certain pre-determined procedures for measuring radioactivity will be discussed with the US trade delegation, sponsored by the US embassy, expected, later this month,” Shah said.
However, privately, a large section of engineering exporters claim that raising the bogey of radioactivity is yet another non-tariff barrier being put up by the US, to protect its domestic iron and steel industry.
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