Steel Ministry to Hold Open House on Steel Import Issues Feb 2

RR Team

14 hours ago

The Ministry of Steel has announced that it will hold an open house meeting on February 2, 2026, to discuss issues related to the import of steel, including concerns linked to the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), SARAL SIMS, and Quality Control Order (QCO) exemptions. The initiative is aimed at providing a direct platform for industry stakeholders to raise concerns and seek clarifications on regulatory and procedural matters.

According to an official statement issued by the Ministry, the open house will be held at the Steel Room on the third floor of GPOA-3, Netaji Nagar, New Delhi. The session will run from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM, with specific time slots allotted to participants in advance to ensure smooth conduct and wider representation.

Industry Stakeholders Invited

Companies and industry associations involved in steel imports have been invited to participate and present their issues during the open house. The Ministry has clarified that the forum is specifically intended for discussions on SIMS, SARAL SIMS and QCO exemption-related matters, which are critical for sectors dependent on imported steel.

To ensure meaningful interaction, only one representative per organisation will be permitted to attend, and third-party representation will not be allowed. Walk-in participation has also been ruled out due to logistical constraints.

Registration and Submission Guidelines

Interested companies and associations must email their request for participation to tech-steel[at]nic[dot]in by 6:00 PM on January 30, 2026. Upon review, confirmed time slots will be communicated via email.

While sending the email, participants are required to provide key details, including the name of the company or association, the nature of the issue whether related to SIMS, SARAL SIMS, or QCO exemption the name and designation of the participant, and references to any previous applications, if applicable.

Focus on Sector-Specific Concerns

The Ministry has also asked participants to specify the type of industry and product affected, such as automobile, aerospace, telecom, defence, or other specialised sectors. A brief description of the issue, limited to 50 words, along with contact details of the participant, must also be included.

Officials said this structured approach would help the Ministry understand sector-specific challenges and explore possible solutions within the existing policy framework.

Strengthening Industry-Government Dialogue

The open house reflects the government’s continued effort to engage with industry stakeholders and address operational difficulties in a transparent and consultative manner. Import-related compliance mechanisms such as SIMS and QCOs are designed to ensure quality standards and data transparency, but the Ministry has acknowledged the need for regular feedback from industry.

By offering a dedicated forum for discussion, the Ministry aims to streamline procedures, clarify regulatory requirements, and reduce bottlenecks that may affect production schedules or supply chains.