March 7, 2002

    Ordnance Factories manufacture and supply ammunition to the Armed Forces as per laid down specification duly inspected and accepted by the designated inspecting authority like Director General Quality Assurance (DGQA), Director General Naval Armament Inspection (DGNAI) and Director General Air Quality Assurance (DGAQA). During manufacture, certain quantum of rejection is unavoidable and is allowed depending on the manufacturing process, qualitative parameters of the product, limitation of plants and machines etc. Whenever the quantum of actual rejection exceeds acceptable limit of rejection, investigation is carried out by the Ordnance Factories to find out the reasons for the rejection with a view to taking remedial measures to avoid recurrence. The services of DGQA/DGNAI/DGAQA as well as Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) are also drawn upon for such investigations whenever required. In one recent case of rejection beyond permissible limit, out of the 25,221, one hundred five mm IFG HESH ammunition produced, 9,130 were rejected. According the investigation committee comprising of DRDO, DGQA and Ordnance Factories Board suggested certain rectification of the rejected lots and modifications in proof fixture. In another case out of the 13,800, hundred and five mm BE SMOKE ammunition produced, 3,153 were rejected. The investigating committee suggested that the salvaging action could reduce the loss to Rs. 37 lac from Rs. 107 lac. The remedial measures suggested by the committee to avoid recurrence could not be implemented since the requirement ceases to exist.