Indian Railway Codes and Manuals-Stores code- Vol-II-Chapter-24 (XXIV)

 


CHAPTER XXIV 

SCRAP AND AUCTION SALES

2401. Meaning of Scrap.—There accumulates on every Railway a large quantity of material of different kinds which is no longer useful for the purpose for which it was originally procured. Such material is generally called "Scrap" and should be distinguished from other stores and component parts which can be utilised after repair or renovation. Scrap also consists of empties, turnings, borings, cut odds and ends of metal, sweepings, foundry ashes etc. which accumulates in Railway Workshops. Occasionally scrap may consist of second-hand or even new material which the Railway can neither consume itself nor can dispose of to other Railways. These stores may be in excellent repair and command a fair price in the market not associated with scrap.

2402. Schedule of Scrap.—A detailed schedule of scrap should be maintained by each Railway Administration under group 98 of the State Railway Classification of Stores. In preparing the schedule the use to which the material could be put by the likely purchasers should be kept in view, so that the items may fetch a reasonable price in the auction sales. Scrap of different metals and alloys should be scheduled as far as possible under separate main headings, with suitable sub-headings describing the form in which the material is put up for sale.

2403. Collection of Scrap.—(1) Except for those items of scrap which the consuming departments have been authorised to dispose of, the Stores department should arrange for regular collection of all items of scrap from the consuming departments and for its disposal. If the scrap is to be disposed of by public auction, arrangements should be made for its collection at convenient points for the purpose of such sales, determined largely by the freight charges to be met, the room available for storage and the proximity to a market for such scrap.
(2) The Controller of Stores may however decide to dispose of any particular item of scrap at site or at the point of generation of scrap, it is more advantageous to do so.

2404. "Scrap for Workshop use".—Scrap suitable for use as raw materials for foundries & c. in railway workshops should invariably be reserved for such use, only the excess over such requirements being sold.

2405. In the case of despatches of scrap from out stations, arrangements should be made to see that double handling is avoided and that the scrap is sent, as far as possible, direct to the stores depot attached to the workshop concerned or to the depot at which scrap sales are conducted as the case may be.

2406. Sorting and Storage of Scrap.—When scrap is returned to the stores depot, the Officer or subordinate returning it, should see that it is sorted out according to the correct nomenclature of the Price List before it is actually despatched. On receipt in the stores depot, the scrap should be further sorted out, if found necessary.

2407. Suitable arrangement should exist in the stores depot to ensure that the scrap ready for sales is not mixed with other scrap that is being received. For this purpose, there should be kept, if it is possible to do so, two sets of scrap bins or dumps for each kind of scrap, so that the scrap accumulated in one set of bins or dumps could be set apart at any time for the purpose of auction sale and pending such sale, the other set of bins will be used for accumulating further scrap for the next auction.

2408. Auction sale of scrap at Stores Depots:- Before any item of stores can be sold as 'scrap', it should be declared as such by Survey Committee appointed by the General Manager of the Railway and the sanction of the competent authority obtained to such sale excepting where such sanction has already been obtained in terms of Para 2228.S. The General Manager may relax this rule in the case of known items of scrap of small value including the items generally sold to Railway Employees. However this dispensation is subject to furnishing of a certificate by concerned departmental officer not below the level of JA Grade that the item being offered have been inspected by him personally and found unserviceable & unfit for any further use on the Railways.

(Authority Board's letter No. 98/RS (G)/779/10(CS) dated 14 -01-2009).

2409. Scrap will be sold generally by auction but the administration considers that more advantageous prices are likely to be obtained, other ways of disposal enumerated in para 2302.S may be adopted.

2410. "Lot" Register for Scrap.—All scrap material accumulated for the purpose of auction sale should be separated into convenient 'lot' of a size that would suit the bidders at auctions. A 'Lot' Register should be maintained showing the following particulars :

2411. Survey Sheets for Scrap.—(1) Particulars of each lot should then be entered on the Survey Sheets (S. 2227) which are submitted to the Survey Committee as explained in paragraph 2227. It is one of the important duties of the survey committee to inspect each lot and record its recommendations on the survey sheets. The Controller of Stores should then obtain the sanction of the competent authority to the sale of such articles by auction, if he finds he is unable to dispose of the same by transfer or sale to other railways, Government departments & C. excepting where such sanction has already been obtained in terms of Para 2228-S.
(2) Reserve Price.—Reserve prices based on the bids obtained at past auctions and any other information available should be fixed by the Controller of Stores or the depot Officer for such item of scrap to be sold in order that the item may be withdrawn from the sale, if the bids are found unsatisfactory. Bids lower than the reserve prices may, however, be accepted by the Depot Officer where found expedient provided the Depot Officer doing so records his reasons in writing.

AUCTION SALES

2412. Agency for Auction Sales.—A Railway Administration may either conduct its auctions itself or enter into agreement with an auctioneering firm of repute and financial standing to handle the sale of railway materials by auction.

2413. Legal Position of Anctioneer.—The position of an auctioneer upto the fall of the hammer is that of an agent for the vendor, that is, the Railway Administration. The auctioneer thereafter becomes the agent of the highest bidder (the purchaser) as well, and a proper contract must be made to bind both parties i.e., the Purchaser and the Railway Administration. The Conditions of Sale should therefore, be drawn up before the sale. The auctioneer has no authority as the agent of the Railway Administration to warrant the goods, and he cannot add to or alter the particulars of Conditions of Sale by any verbal declaration made in the auction room at the time of the sale.

2414. Agreement and Conditions of Sales.—A skelton form of agreement between a railway administration and a firm of auctioneers is illustrated in Appendix, IX Appendix 'X' indicates the "General Conditions of Sales by Auction" which may be adhered to with advantage.

2415. Samples for Assay & c.—Small quantities of scrap required by prospective biders for purposes of assay or other tests may be sold to them at schedule rates out of materials prepared into lots for auction.

2416. Auction Arrangement at Stores Depot.—No auction should actually be started without the prior permission of the Controller of Stores. The Controller of Stores while according such permission, should examine whether there is going to be any over-lapping of auctions by the same auctioneer, either in respect of deliveries or payment of sale proceeds or both. Such ; overlapping shall be avoided as far as possible. When , however, this is unavoidable, the Controller of Stores should consider carefully to see that the interests of the Administration are not jeopardised in any way.

2417. The Depot Officer or any other Officer nominated by the Controller of Stores to supervise the auction will be responsible for the conduct of the auction.

2418. Presence of an Accounts Representative at Auction Sales.—The Accounts Officer (Stores) who should have received timely intimation of the auction should depute an Inspector of Stores Accounts or a Stock Verifier as an Accounts Representative to witness the auction sale.

2419. From the catalogue and the Survey Sheets prepared for the auction, the Stock verifki witnessing the sales should post a manuscript register containing the following particulars :

2420. Columns (1) to (8) should be posted before the sale. As lots are sold, columns (9) & (10) will be written up by the Stock-Verifier and at the end of the day the entries in his register will be compared with those in the auctioneer's (or Yard Foreman's) statements The rest of the columns in the Register should be filled up by the Stock Verifier from his Field Book (S. 2428 which will be his initial record in which the deliveries of such materials as they are affected will be noted.

2421. Material should not be sold at rates per lot but bids should be registered by a number or weight unit so that a complete check on the quantity delivered can be exercised, at any time

2422. The Sock Verifier should see that the Conditions of Sale are being observed and that stores are not being sold at obviously low prices. If he thinks that any irregularity is taking place or proper prices are not being obtained, he should bring the matter immediately to the notice of the Officer in charge of the sale and report the case in writing to the Accounts Officer, Stores.

2423. Deliveries of Stocks.—The Depot Officer should arrange for the deliveries being effected according to the agreement and terms and conditions of sale and such other specific or general instructions as may be issued by the Controller of Stores. He should take every possible step to expedite delivery of the auctioned materials.

2424. Auctioneer's Delivery Order.—Before material is loaded for delivery, the purchaser has to present to the Depot Officer a Delivery Order, made out by the auctioneers authorizing Stores Department to make such delivery. The Delivery Order should show the following particulars :

Note.—(i) Columns 1 to 8 will be filled in by the Auctioneers, and column 9 by the Depot Officer.
(ii) An auctioneer's delivery order is not necessary when the auctioneer does not function as the Agent of the purchaser. The delivery may be made to the purchaser or his agent on the strength of the Cashier's Receipt.

2425. Ground Rent should be charged if the material is not removed within the stipulated time and the Accounts Representative will be responsible for seeing that where Ground Rent has become due, it is recovered by the Depot Officer before delivery of the Stores. The amount realized as Ground Rent should be noted in the Issue Note by the depot and certified by the Stock Verifier. The Depot Officer will be responsible to remit the cash to the Divl. Cashier or the local Station Master. In exceptional circumstances and when the Earnest Money paid by the purchasers is sufficient for the purposes, Ground Rent, i.e. Storage Charges may be recovered after the delivery of the stores.

2426. Weighment and Delivery.—All materials sold shall be weighed or counted before delivery, this being supervised by :

(Authority Rly Bds. letter No.98/RS(G)/779/10(CS) dt.07.09.2000) acs no.3

2427. The Stock Verifier should count, measure or weigh each lot or part of a lot after comparison of the description and quantity shown in the sale catalogue to ensure that only such kinds and quantities of materials as have been shown in the catalogue are being issued; he should sign the gate passes and Issue Notes in token of such check.

2428. The Stock Verifier should maintain a Field Book (S 2428) which will be his initial record for recording therein :

2429. He should sign the issue note after fully satisfying himself that entries made therein agree with those in the field book. The field book should be attested by the Stores Representative making delivery of the goods in token of his having accepted the correctness thereof.

2430. In giving delivery of scrap material, scrap of non-ferrous items should be weighed on  electronic weighing scales and the weight of each consignment should be recorded in detail by the stock verifier in his field book.

(Authority Rly Bds. letter No.98/RS(G)/779/10(CS) dt.13.02.2007)--acs no.4

2431. For giving delivery of ferrous scrap empty wagons need not be weighed and the marked are of the wagons should be taken as the weight of the empty wagons. The loaded wagons should be passed over the weighbridge and the difference between the two weights will give weight of the scrap. In his field book, the Stock Verifier who should be present all the time, record the number, carrying capacity and the owning railway (marked) take, gross weight and net weight of the wagons used. He should then seal up the wagons with the special seal supplied to him for the purpose. Particulars of the Railway receipt under which loaded wagons are booked will be recorded subsequently.

2432. In cases where local delivery is given, the empty and loaded trucks or carts should be weighed and instead of Railway Receipt, particulars of the Gate Pass issued will be recorded. The Issue Note and the Gate Pass should be countersigned by the Stock Verifier.

2433. Loading.—The loading of the sold materials should be done under the supervision of the Depot Officer or his Assistant, not below the rank of  D.S.K. Gr. III and should be witnessed by the Stock Verifier. The Depot Officer will be responsible for realising loading charges if any, from the purchaser. The Purchaser should not ordinarily be allowed to use his own labour for loading as the Railway's have little control on such labour.

2434. The responsibility of the Railway ends after the consignment has been loaded and made over to the representative of the auctioneers or purchasers and the railway will be no party to any dispute that may arise after the loading has been completed. It is the duty of the auctioneer to arrange for the despatch of the consignment to the purchaser.

2435. Despatch of Auctioned Material.—In no circumstances should the Railway Department be shown on any of the despatching documents as consignors. The documents should be in the name of the purchaser or his duly authorised agent who should sign them if necessary

2436. Freight Rates.—If the purchaser desires to send any of the stores by rail, they will be carried at public tariff rates only.

2437. Deleted.

2438. Deleted.

which fresh deliveries received since the auction have been stored.

2440. Monthly lists of Deliveries.—The Depot Officer should submit to the Controller of Stares and the Accounts Officer (Stores) monthly  verified lists (S. 2440-Manuscript) of materials in respect of lots delivered in fall every month and valuable instate and stores of special sales e.g. rails, girders & c. as delivered, whether in part or in full.

2441. Report of Completion of Auction.—On the completion of the delivery of materials sold in each auction ,the Accounts Representative should submit a completion report (S. 2441-A Manuscript) to the Accounts Officer, Stores bringing to particular notice any outstanding features. The Depot Officer will submit a similar report (S. 2441.B-Manuscript) independently to the Controller of Stores and Accounts Officer, Stores.

2442. Sale Accounts by Auctioneers.—The Depot Officer should see that the sale accounts are submitted to him by the auctioneers within the prescribed period. He should check the sale accounts, calling for the Treasurer's certificate of payment granted to the auctioneers, for the remittance made by him. If the sale account is found correct and the remittance has been made correctly, the Depot Officer should issue a clearance certificate to the auctioneer in respect of that particular auction and send a copy of the certificate to the Accounts Officer Stores. The Auctioneers' Sale Accounts should be forwarded to the Controller of Stores for transmission to the Accounts Officer.
Note.—There is no objection to the Sale Accounts being submitted by the Auctioneers direct to the Controller of Stores, provided the checks devolving on the Depot Officer are exercised in the Office of the Controller of Stores.

2443. Bills for Commission Charges.—Except in cases where the auctioeers are permitted to deduct their commission charges from sale proceeds of the auctioned material in terms of their agreement the bill for commission charges should be submitted promptly to the Depot Officer concerned for verification and transmission to the Accounts Officer, Stores, for payment, advising the Controller of Stores at the same time.

2444. Auctions by other than the Stores Department.—The preliminary arrangements for the auction of materials held in the Divisions or Districts should be made by the Division or District Officers concerned under advice to the Accounts Officer, Stores, and the Controller of Stores.

2445. In signifying his approval, the Controller of Stores should advise the Accounts Officer, Stores, to arrange for a Stock Verifier being deputed to witness the sale. The auctions may be held either departmentally or with the assistance of the railway auctioneers. The detailed procedure to be followed will be the same, mutatis mutandis as in the case of the auction sales conducted by the Stores Department (Paragraphs 2410 to 2442).

2446. Allocation of Financial Responsibility.—The financial responsibility involved in the sale of stores by public auction, tender, or direct sale is in respect both of expenditure and of receipts. In the assessment and collection of amounts due to the railway, the responsibility is with the Executive. The responsibility of the Accounts Organisation is confined to seeing that system of collection is suitable and efficient, to verifying by test-check that such a system operates effectively in practice and to examining that the amounts collected are properly brought into account in the railway's books.

2447. In the matter of expenditure involved, the Accounts Department is responsible for seeing that the expenditure is regular and proper and that the system of accounts is such that there can be no loss of railway money, while the administrative and executive officers will be fully responsible for the correctness of the facts in the original documents.

 

Multiple Choice Questions with Answer Keys:

  1. What is the primary distinction of "scrap" in railway material?
    • A) It can be utilized after repair or renovation.
    • B) It is no longer useful for its original purpose.
    • C) It is always in excellent repair and commands a fair price in the market.
    • D) It is generally new material.

Answer: B) It is no longer useful for its original purpose.

  1. What should be kept in view when preparing the schedule of scrap?
    • A) The weight of the scrap material.
    • B) The use to which the material could be put by the likely purchasers.
    • C) The original purpose of the material.
    • D) The cost of the scrap material.

Answer: B) The use to which the material could be put by the likely purchasers.

  1. Who is responsible for the regular collection of scrap from consuming departments?
    • A) The Finance Department.
    • B) The Stores Department.
    • C) The Workshop Department.
    • D) The Human Resources Department.

Answer: B) The Stores Department.

  1. Where should scrap suitable for use as raw materials in railway workshops be reserved?
    • A) For public auction.
    • B) For use in railway workshops.
    • C) For disposal to other railways.
    • D) For sale to railway employees.

Answer: B) For use in railway workshops.

  1. What should be done to scrap received in stores depots?
    • A) Mixed with other scrap.
    • B) Sorted out according to the correct nomenclature of the Price List.
    • C) Sold immediately.
    • D) Stored without sorting.

Answer: B) Sorted out according to the correct nomenclature of the Price List.

  1. What should be maintained to ensure scrap ready for sales is not mixed with new scrap?
    • A) Separate storerooms.
    • B) Two sets of scrap bins or dumps for each kind of scrap.
    • C) Individual lockers.
    • D) Digital records only.

Answer: B) Two sets of scrap bins or dumps for each kind of scrap.

  1. Who appoints the Survey Committee to declare items as 'scrap'?
    • A) The Controller of Stores.
    • B) The General Manager of the Railway.
    • C) The Finance Department.
    • D) The Auctioneer.

Answer: B) The General Manager of the Railway.

  1. What is the role of an auctioneer after the fall of the hammer?
    • A) They become an agent for the Railway Administration.
    • B) They become an agent for the highest bidder (the purchaser).
    • C) They become an independent entity.
    • D) They cease to have any role.

Answer: B) They become an agent for the highest bidder (the purchaser).

  1. What should be done before starting any auction sale of scrap?
    • A) Ensure the presence of the Finance Department.
    • B) Obtain prior permission of the Controller of Stores.
    • C) Mix different types of scrap.
    • D) Notify all employees.

Answer: B) Obtain prior permission of the Controller of Stores.

  1. Who should be present to witness the auction sale?
    • A) The General Manager.
    • B) The Chief Engineer.
    • C) An Accounts Representative.
    • D) The Finance Minister.

Answer: C) An Accounts Representative.

  1. How should bids be registered during the auction?
    • A) By lot number.
    • B) By weight or number unit.
    • C) By the purchaser's name.
    • D) By the auctioneer's discretion.

Answer: B) By weight or number unit.

  1. What is the primary duty of the Survey Committee regarding scrap?
    • A) To price the scrap.
    • B) To inspect each lot and record its recommendations.
    • C) To sell the scrap directly.
    • D) To transport the scrap.

Answer: B) To inspect each lot and record its recommendations.

  1. What should be done if the bids are lower than the reserve prices?
    • A) Accept the bids without question.
    • B) Withdraw the item from the sale.
    • C) Negotiate with the highest bidder.
    • D) Continue the auction without changes.

Answer: B) Withdraw the item from the sale.

  1. What is a key responsibility of the Stock Verifier during an auction?
    • A) To set the reserve prices.
    • B) To ensure the conditions of sale are observed and proper prices are obtained.
    • C) To act as the auctioneer.
    • D) To handle the financial transactions.

Answer: B) To ensure the conditions of sale are observed and proper prices are obtained.

  1. What should be done to avoid double handling of scrap?
    • A) Store the scrap in the consuming department.
    • B) Send the scrap directly to the appropriate depot or workshop.
    • C) Auction the scrap immediately.
    • D) Mix all types of scrap together.

Answer: B) Send the scrap directly to the appropriate depot or workshop.

  1. Who is responsible for arranging deliveries according to the agreement and terms of sale?
    • A) The Auctioneer
    • B) The Depot Officer
    • C) The Purchaser
    • D) The Controller of Stores

Answer: B) The Depot Officer

  1. What must the purchaser present to the Depot Officer before material is loaded for delivery?
    • A) Cashier's Receipt
    • B) Auctioneer's Delivery Order
    • C) Purchase Invoice
    • D) Stock Verifier's Report

Answer: B) Auctioneer's Delivery Order

  1. What should be charged if the material is not removed within the stipulated time?
    • A) Late Fee
    • B) Ground Rent
    • C) Handling Charges
    • D) Weighment Fee

Answer: B) Ground Rent

  1. Who is responsible for recovering Ground Rent if it becomes due?
    • A) The Purchaser
    • B) The Auctioneer
    • C) The Accounts Representative
    • D) The Depot Officer

Answer: C) The Accounts Representative

  1. How should materials be processed before delivery?
    • A) Counted or weighed by the Stock Verifier
    • B) Mixed with other materials
    • C) Sealed by the Purchaser
    • D) Loaded without supervision

Answer: A) Counted or weighed by the Stock Verifier

  1. Who supervises the loading of sold materials?
    • A) The Purchaser
    • B) The Controller of Stores
    • C) The Depot Officer or his Assistant
    • D) The Auctioneer

Answer: C) The Depot Officer or his Assistant

  1. Who must sign the gate passes and Issue Notes?
    • A) The Auctioneer
    • B) The Purchaser
    • C) The Stock Verifier
    • D) The Depot Officer

Answer: C) The Stock Verifier

  1. What must be done with the weight of each consignment of non-ferrous scrap material?
    • A) Recorded in the Delivery Order
    • B) Entered in the Purchaser's receipt
    • C) Noted by the Depot Officer
    • D) Recorded in detail by the Stock Verifier in his field book

Answer: D) Recorded in detail by the Stock Verifier in his field book

  1. In what scenario should the Railway not be shown on despatching documents as consignors?
    • A) When materials are delivered locally
    • B) When materials are auctioned
    • C) When materials are sold directly to the purchaser
    • D) When materials are stored in the depot

Answer: B) When materials are auctioned

  1. What should be recorded by the Stock Verifier in cases of local delivery?
    • A) Railway Receipt details
    • B) Gate Pass particulars
    • C) Auctioneer's Delivery Order
    • D) Purchaser's details

Answer: B) Gate Pass particulars

  1. What is the Depot Officer responsible for in relation to the sale accounts submitted by the auctioneers?
    • A) Collecting commission charges
    • B) Checking and verifying the sale accounts
    • C) Issuing delivery orders
    • D) Handling financial transactions

Answer: B) Checking and verifying the sale accounts

  1. Who submits the completion report after the delivery of auctioned materials?
    • A) The Depot Officer only
    • B) The Accounts Representative only
    • C) Both the Depot Officer and the Accounts Representative
    • D) The Purchaser

Answer: C) Both the Depot Officer and the Accounts Representative

  1. Who approves the preliminary arrangements for the auction of materials held in the Divisions or Districts?
    • A) The Auctioneer
    • B) The Division or District Officers
    • C) The Controller of Stores
    • D) The Accounts Officer, Stores

Answer: B) The Division or District Officers

  1. What should be avoided when issuing a delivery order to the purchaser?
    • A) Including the purchase price
    • B) Mixing different lots of scrap
    • C) Showing the Railway Department as consignors
    • D) Mentioning the weight of the scrap

Answer: C) Showing the Railway Department as consignors

  1. Who is responsible for ensuring that the system of collection for auctioned materials is suitable and efficient?
    • A) The Executive
    • B) The Accounts Organisation
    • C) The Controller of Stores
    • D) The Auctioneer

Answer: B) The Accounts Organisation

  1. What document does the Stock Verifier maintain as his initial record?
    • A) Delivery Order
    • B) Issue Note
    • C) Field Book
    • D) Gate Pass

Answer: C) Field Book

  1. What is the financial responsibility of the Accounts Department in the sale of stores by public auction?
    • A) Assessing the value of scrap
    • B) Collecting payments
    • C) Ensuring expenditure is regular and proper
    • D) Supervising the auction process

Answer: C) Ensuring expenditure is regular and proper

  1. What should be recorded in the Stock Verifier's field book for ferrous scrap delivery?
    • A) Auctioneer's comments
    • B) Details of empty and loaded wagons
    • C) Purchaser's feedback
    • D) Depot Officer's instructions

Answer: B) Details of empty and loaded wagons

 

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