Test result shows adulteration in cement: IPSA

IMPHAL, May 4: The final report of the adulteration test of the samples of Valley Strong Cement sent to the Manipur Institute of Technology (MIT) has showed that the cement quality is adulterated. The cement in question was brought by a Porompat shopkeeper from RP Traders at Silchar.

Informing this to media persons at its office today, Elangbam Johnson, President of the International Peace and Social Achievement (IPSA) said it ihad mposed a ban on the sale and purchase of Valley Strong Cement manufactured by the Barak Valley Cement Ltd on March 15, 2013 following a complaint.

After an understanding was brought with officials of the manufacturing company, the ban was revoked on March 19, 2013. The officials had agreed to invalidate dealership permanently and stop supplying the cement to RP Traders if the sample sent for test turns out to be adulterated, he added.

He continued that as per the IS8112-1989 standard of the Government of India, the level during the compressive strength test of the cement sample should not be less than 33N/mm2 after 168 hours. However, the final test report sent back to IPSA by MIT on April 25 last showed that the levels of the samples were 7N/mm2, 9N/mm2, 9.6N/mm2, 7.6N/mm2 and 8N/mm2.

The said sample test was done under Dr Suresh, HOD Civil Engineering Department MIT. IPSA had sent the final report to Mukesh Aggarwal, Group Vice President of Barak Valley Cement Ltd in April. Accordingly, an action taken report was sent from the company that the supply of cement to RP Traders has been stopped with immediate effect, Johnson said.

He also said, Valley Strong Cement will be available in the state from  June in a different colored bag inscribed with ‘only for sale in Manipur’. This will help in stopping sending of adulterated cement in the state, Johnson said.