A BRIEF HISTORY

The requirements of the Army for General Stores, Clothing and Armaments were met mostly by import from United Kingdom since the East India Company days uptill the end of World War I. Efforts were, however, made during this period to set up some production facilities in India so as to supplement the imports from the United Kingdom. It was realised even in those days that in the field of Defence supplies manufacturing establishments must be covered by adequate inspection units. The following Establishments were accordingly set up :-

• Inspectorate of the Ammunition Factory, Kirkee 1869
• Chief Chemical Inspectorate, Nainital (Inspectorate of Explosives And Chemicals, Kirkee – 1920) 1908
• Inspectorate of Guns & Rifles, Jabalpur 1911
• Inspectorate of Gun Carriages, Jabalpur 1911
• Inspectorate of General Stores, Kanpur 1912
• Inspectorate of Ammunition, Kirkee 1921
• Inspectorate of Small Arms, Ichapur 1921
• Inspectorate of Guns and Shells, Cossipore 1929
• Chief Inspectorate of Mechanical Transport, Chakala 1929
• Inspectorate of Scientific Stores, Rawalpindi 1939
• Inspectorate of Metal & Steel, Ichapur 1940

As the tempo of Defence Production and Defence Supplies increased during World War II, the Directorates of Inspection were created under the MGO/DGS&D, New Delhi

• Directorate of Armaments, MGO’s Branch
• Directorate of Mechanisation, MGO’s Branch
• Controllerate General of Inspection, DGS&D, Ministry of Industry and Supplies.

They were given the overall responsibility of ensuring the quality of stores manufactured by the Ordnance Factories/trade and supplied to the troops.

These organisations were grouped in 1946 to form a composite inspection, research and development organisation known as the Directorate of Technical Development in the MGO’s Branch. It was the first time that the full control of all functions relating to inspection, testing and research and development of armaments, instruments, electronic stores, vehicles and engineering stores, medical stores, POL, jute goods etc. were vested in a single technical-cum-administrative authority. An ISSPO (Inter-Services Store Preservation Organisation) was subsequently created and placed under the MGO.

In 1947, the MGO’s post in the Army HQ was abolished and the DTD Organisation was placed under the General Staff Branch. When the MGO’s Branch was re-established in April 1949, the Directorate of Technical development came under MGO’s control once again. In 1955, on the recommendations of the Armed Forces Reorganisation Committee, the Directorate of Technical Development was transferred from the Army HQ and placed under the MoD under the newly created Controller General of Defence Production (CGDP). The Directorate of Technical Development was bifurcated in 1956 into two separate Directorates i.e. Armaments and General. In 1958, a beginning was made to bifurcate the Research/Development and Inspection functions of these two Directorates. The re-organised Directorate of R & D (Armaments) was transferred to the newly created R & D Organisation. The Inspection Organisation was placed under the Controller General of Defence Production and was re-organised into

• Directorate of Inspection Armaments
• Directorate of Vehicles and Engineering
• Directorate of R & D (General)
• Directorate of Production and Inspection Electronics
• Directorate of Stores Production (Navy).

In 1961, the Directorate of Vehicles and Engineering was bifurcated into Directorate of Inspection of Vehicles (under CGDP) and Directorate of Engineering (under the R&D Organisation). In March 1963, the Planning Cell of the CGIP was placed directly under the Secy (DP) and the CGIP was designated as the Director General of Inspection. In 1964, the Directorate of Stores Production (Navy) was re-designated as the Directorate of Development and Inspection (Marine Stores). A new Directorate viz., the Directorate of Warship Project was created in 1968 to assist the Leander Class Frigate Project. In 1968, the Directorate of R&D (General) was bifurcated into Directorate of Inspection (General Stores) and Directorate of R&D (General Stores).

The above agencies working so far as a part of single composite R&D and Inspection Organisation, was split into the following three independent Organisations in 1976

• Defence Research and Development Organisations.
• Directorate General of Inspection
• Directorate of Technical Development and Production (Air).

Director General of Inspection has been re-designated was Director General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) on 04 Jul 1987.

ROLE AND FUNCTION

The DGQA Organisation is vested with the responsibility of ensuring that Defence Forces of the country get the entire range of arms, ammunition, equipments and stores of desired quality that will enhance the combat efficiency and effectiveness of the fighting forces and that they are able to maintain easily and exploit the equipment and stores fully. This role is performed by carrying out multifarious functions. Some of the salient functions are given in the following paragraphs:

• Quality Assurance
• Control of quality during design
• Conformance of quality during productions
• Assurance of reliable performance during service period
• Development of indigenous production of defence stores

Development of indigenous production of defence stores

DGQA Organisation carries out this function for Department of Defence Supplies, in that it locates and establishes sources of indigenous production of Defence Equipment/stores thus effecting import substitution. It warrants carrying out comprehensive industrial survey, maintenance and updating of records pertaining to capability/capacity of various industrial units and making specific recommendations regarding the suitability of an industrial organisation/firm as a potential source of supply to Defence.

Documentation

Framing/adoption of specification to meet the user’s requirements and then continuously updating them to keep them abreast with the latest technology available in the country. This includes preparation of detailed specifications, drawings and various other technical documents. In doing so the DGQA organisation maintains a close liaison and professional links with other technical bodies in the country such as BIS.

Technical Consultancy and Guidance Services

Vetting of indents, testing of advance samples and pilot samples and providing complete technical guidance/liaison with the production agencies, carrying out quality audit and granting deviations whenever called for. Identification of stores for the users/indentor and recommending reutilisation of surplus stores and material. Providing guidance to users regarding any technical aspects pertaining to the usage, maintenance and exploitation of equipment.

Post Procurement Services

Investigation into causes of defects in equipment reported by army units and suggesting remedial measures to prevent recurrence of such defects and in the process, also suggesting modifications to the existing equipment wherever required. The defect investigation reports serve as a feed back to the designer and producer to ensure that suggested improvements are incorporated in future production.

Other Technical Activities

These include cataloguing, standardisation, and preparation of Illustrated parts lists, Users Hand Books, Operating Manuals etc.

ORGANISATION

In order to carry out its functions effectively and efficiently the DGQA organisation is functionally organised into disciplines according to the nature of stores/equipment. Accordingly the organisation consists of seven Technical Directorates and one Administrative Directorate as follows :

Directorate of Quality Assurance (Armaments) – DQA (A)

This discipline is responsible for the quality assurance and the related activities with respect to difference types of Armaments and connected areas.

• Weapons
• Small Arms
• Ammunition and Military Explosives
• Metallurgy
• Instruments and Optical and Opto-Electronics

Directorate of Quality Assurance (Vehicles) – DQA (V)

It is responsible for the quality assurance of all kinds of vehicles needed by the Army. The vehicles include the common usage vehicles, Armoured and fighting vehicles, other heavy and specialist as also various kinds of trailers and transportation.

Directorate of Quality Assurance (Electronics) – DQA (L)

This discipline deals with entire range of electronic and electrical equipment and stores required by the Army. The main areas are

• Tele-communication Equipment
• Electronic components of the various Weapons Systems and Combat Vehicles including tanks.
• Electronic Warfare Equipment
• Radar
• Computers and Micro-processors
• Laser
• Infra-red stores
• Electrical equipment
• Missiles

Directorate of Quality Assurance (Stores) – DQA (S)

This discipline is responsible for all items of textile and clothing, chemicals, petroleum and General Stores

• Textiles including heavy textiles, tentage stores, fabrics made out of wool, silk, man made fibres, Bullet proof jackets etc.
• Rubber items
• Footwear and leather stores
• Petroleum products – lubricants, fuel and preservatives
• Drugs and pharmaceuticals
• Paints, Varnishes, Chemicals and chemical stores such as insecticides, polishes, soaps, oils, fats etc.
• All kinds of heating, lighting and cooking equipments for use in field
• Hand tools
• Timber and timber products
• Glass, plastic and ceramics
• Barrack and hospital equipment for mountain warfare and aerial delivery

Directorate of Quality Assurance (Engineering Equipment) – DQA (EE)

Various types of engineering equipment is dealt with by DQAE.

• Fire fighting equipments
• Bridging Equipmen ts and Water Craft
• Transportation and Material Handling Equipment
• Refrigeration and Air-conditioning equipment
• Compressors and Pneumatic Tools
• Workshop Equipment including Machine Tools
• Engineering Construction Plant
• Pre-fabricated Structures
• Electrical Equipments such as Transformers and Transmission Equipment
• Nuclear, Chemical, Biological warfare items.

Directorate of Quality Assurance (Naval) – DQA (N)

This discipline is responsible for quality assurance and acceptance inspection of the entire range of stores/spares used in the Indian Navy. It is also responsible for indigenous development of sophisticated complex Naval Stores e.g hull, general engineering, electrical & electronic items, oils, lubricants, consumable stores ships’ main engines and guided, fire control systems, radar and communication systems and the dockyard plant machinery and equipment used for the maintenance and repair of ships.

Directorate of Quality Assurance (Warship Project) – DQA (WP)

It is responsible for indigenous development and Quality Assurance of all items which are required for fitment in new construction ships including Leander Frigates and other smaller ships being constructed at Garden Reach Workshop and other shipyards in the country.

Directorate of Administration

Directorate of Administration is located at HQ DGQA alongwith the HQ Technical Directorates. It is responsible for providing complete administration cover to the entire organisation. It includes all aspects of personnel management e.g. formulation of policy regarding recruitment, posting/transfers, promotion, budgeting and finances, accommodation, review of Peace Establishments etc. Directorate of Administration also acts as the Central Co-ordinating agency for all technical policy matters, security, cataloguing and standardisation as well. Sample Rooms have been established at Delhi, Bombay, Madras and Calcutta to display the defence stores warranting indigenisation. The activities of these sample rooms are also co-ordinated by Directorate of Administration. The Adm Directorate has been re-organised with effect from 01 Dec 94 into the following Directorates :-

• Financial Planning, Procurement of Test Equipment and works.
• Personnel Services
• Policy, Planning and Training

STRUCTURE

DGQA organisation is vertically structured on a three tier pattern

• Headquarter Technical Directorates
• Authorities Holding Sealed Particulars
• Field Quality Assurance Estts

The tasks performed by each of the above are complementary to one another and are integrated to achieve maximum efficiency. The duties of each level are given in the following paragraphs :

Headquarters Technical Directorates

These function as the Apex Body in each Technical Discipline and are responsible for planning, direction, co-ordination and control of various activities as pertinent to each discipline. It culminates in laying down policy with respect to the quality assurance and related areas. Headquarter also performs a very important function of liaison and inter-action with other connected agencies such as indenters/users in the service Headquarters, manufacturers e.g., DGOF and public/private sector purchase officers i.e., DGS&D and numerous other agencies.

Technical Committee

Each Headquarter Technical Directorate also has a Technical Committee of that particular discipline. The Technical Committees are part of the Central Technical Committee in the Department of Defence Supplies. The Technical Committees are charged with the responsibility of locating, developing and establishing sources of Indigenous production/supply of defence equipment/stores. Technical Committees play a vital role in effecting import substitution and indigenisation.

Authorities Holding Sealed Particulars

Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) is a unit which is responsible for collecting, collating, developing, amending and updating the entire history and technical data and information of the store. They possess the complete know-how with respect to all the technical aspects of the store and its quality assurance. Salient features of their duties are :-

• Preparation, maintenance and supply of the necessary technical information e.g. drawings etc.
• Maintaining all India standards of inspection by laying down necessary procedures and criteria
• Grant of Deviation/relaxation where necessary for the acceptance of stores after carrying out the necessary evaluation of the stores/equipment
• Undertaking development projects, design and development of testing equipment and inspecting methodology
• Defect investigation for the failures reported during storage and usage of stores and suggesting appropriate remedial measures
• Carrying out technical trials for effecting minor modification
• Providing guidance to procurement and production of all technical matters including capacity assessment of firms
• Preparation of technical literature such as User’s Hand Book, Parts Lists, Manual etc., for equipment newly introduced
• Participating in the standardisation activities of the Ministry of Defence
• Identification of stores and giving recommendation regarding alternate utilisation etc.
• Maintaining an up-to–date test house to carry out all the test necessary for proper evaluation of stores peculiar to the responsibility of AHSP

Field Quality Assurance Establishments (QAEs)

Field Quality Assurance Establishments are located all over the country. They may be either alongwith Ordnance Factories or the Public Sector Undertakings or in the region where from a large quantity of defence supplies are obtained through Private Sector Industries. Field Inspectorates are responsible for carrying out bulk inspection including laboratory testing and proof of samples where facilities are available as per the directives issued by the AHSP. Inspectorates are organised in wings/detachments for smooth functioning.

Proof Establishments

Proof Establishments are peculiar to Armaments discipline and are situated at places considered suitable for carrying out proofing of weapons, filled and empty ammunition and explosives manufactured by ordnance factories, private sector firms or procured from foreign sources.

Defence Institute of Quality Assurance (DIQA) – Bangalore

Defence Institute of Quality Assurance (DIQA) was established to meet a long felt need for an institutional in-house facility for training DQAO Personnel in the field of Quality Management Concepts. DIQA was inaugurated in Nov 92 at Bangalore. The present charter as approved by Ministry of Defence, prescribes the following role for DIQA :-

• Plan and conduct Foundation/Orientation training for newly inducted officers, as also to conduct refresher training courses periodically to update the knowledge of officers/staff of DQAO organisation
• Guide the training schools run by AsHSP of DQAO
• Maintain active interaction and Liaison within India and International Institutions and organisations associated with training and Quality Assurance activities
• Undertake studies and Consultancy assignments for Design, Development and Installation of Quality systems in units manufacturing Defence equipment

SCHEME FOR NATIONAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE OF CIVIL SECTOR FIRMS TOWARDS INDIGENISATION OF DEFENCE STORES AND EQUIPMENT

Background

A scheme for National Award for Excellence in Indigenisation of Defence Equipment has been introduced vide MoD OM No. 7(44)/90/D(S.III) dt 07 July 1993 with a aim of recognising the efforts put in by Indian Industry in meeting Defence requirements of equipments which are currently being imported and to motivate them to take indigenisation of more and more items involving higher technology.

Objective

The objectives of the scheme are to encourage Civil Sector Firms for :-

1. Undertaking of initial development and production of Defence equipment and stores indigenously designed to substitute imported ones.
2. Indigenisation of spares and sub-assemblies for imported equipment.
3. Improving the quality of indigenous products of meeting Defence requirements.

Awards

Items taken up for indigenisation fall under the following broad categories :-

1. Mechanical Engineering
2. Electrical and Electronics Engineering
3. Textile, Chemical and Rubber Technology
4. General and Miscellaneous Engineering not covered under (a), (b) and (c) above.

In order to encourage indigenisation in all areas two awards will be given every year in cash of the above mentioned categories. The cash prizes will be Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees Fifty thousand only) for the first and Rs. 30,000/- (Rupees Thirty thousand only) for the second winner in each category alongwith a scroll of honour. A special function is organised every year for presentation of these awards. The first award ceremony was held in Aug 1995 at Vigyan Bhawan.

Assessment and Registration of Defence Vendors

Defence Equipments and stores are subjected to a wide variety of end uses under varying operational and climatic conditions. Defence also has very special and critical requirements of storage, transportation, ease of maintenance/ repair and ever changing personnel to operate and maintain the equipments. It is therefore essential that quality and reliability of defence equipment should be of a very high order. To a large extent, the quality and reliability of products depend on the technical competence, expertise, experience and the capacity of the vendors. A vital step for assuring the quality and reliability is to lay down a systematic and institutionalised Quality system and procedure for assessment of vendors so that potential vendors for defence supplies can be assessed in a comprehensive manner. It is in this background that the DGQA has evolved Joint Services Guidelines JSG 015:02:95 for the Assessment and registration of defence vendors.

The aim is to select and register only the capable and competent vendors/ suppliers for development, indigenisation and bulk supply of specific products and to lay down guidelines for rating their performance.

JSG 015:02:1995 is a priced document and can be obtained from :-

Director
Directorate of Standardisation
H Block, DHQ PO,
New Delhi – 110 011

Assessment and Registration process

The registration of all firms who have their own manufacturing and quality assurance systems is done in accordance with JSG:015:02:1995. The procedure for vendor assessment comprises of a number of stages as described below: -

• An intending vendor may initiate his case by filling up Pre-qualification Information Proforma (PQI) [appendix ‘A"] and forward it to the designated AHSP.
• Vendor Assessment will be carried out by a nominated team of officers detailed by the local SQAEs/ QAEs on receipt of technical guidelines and authorisation from AHSP.
• Before assessment, the SQAE/ QAE will obtain information in accordance with appendix ‘B’ to JSG guidelines.
• Acceptance / Rejection, Registration and enrolment (in the Compendium) of the firms will be done by the Technical Directors. A written information is sent to the firm (With certificate, if applicable).

Eligibility

• the firm shall have a documented quality system aligned to iso 9000 and the product specific capability.
• the firm shall have minimum of 3 years of operational experience in the industry and should have verifiable manufacturing & quality assurance infrastructure.
• traders, sole selling / authorised agents and sick units as defined in the "sick industries & companies" (special provision act 1985) and which have been declared sick by competent central/ state govt. authorities) are not eligible.

Registration fee

a registration fee of @ rs. 1000/- for ssis & @ rs. 2500/- for medium and large scale industries, respectively, is required to be paid by the vendor to the concerned senior quality assurance establishment after receipt of instructions from the concerned technical authorities (ahsp).

Categorisation of vendors

vendors are categorised into three different groups viz.,

• ddp- those having potential for design, development and production,
• dp- for development & production and
• p- for production only.

Vendor rating

For purpose of continuous monitoring the performance of a vendor registered on the compendium ;of approved suppliers, a system of vendor rating and its periodical review is being carried out. all vendors will be given a vendor rating as a percentage score based on their actual performance against each completed performance by the concerned ahsp. incomplete orders will not be vendor rated. vendor rating will be based on quality rating, delivery rating and experience rating.

Single point for registration of firms

Usually firms approach the nearest senior quality assurance establishment (sqae) for initial registration and the actual processes of assessment/ recommendation is carried out by this sqae. after initial registration, in case the vendor desires for registration of additional items with more than one discipline, he has to contact different sqae’s and go through the entire registration process all over again. to overcome this, ‘single point’ concept has been introduced. under this scheme, the sqae, which has initially registered the firm, will act as ‘nodal’ or ‘single point’ for all purposes of future assessments/ registration.

Vendor Advisory Cells

DGQA organisation has set up a vendor advisory cell to meet the single window concept in assisting the industry in matters relating to registration, self-certification , grievances due to delay in qa of stores etc. the important activities of vendor advisory cell are as under:-

1. Assistance to vendors in providing them required information about the gqa organisation and directing them to concerned Establishments or Officers as per their need.
2. To furnish all information and documents regarding the procedure for assessment and registration of Defence Vendors to prospective vendors.
3. To receive complaints / grievances regarding Vendor assessment and process them with HQ DGQA for necessary action.

• Click here to view (in pdf format) - Appendix "A"
• Click here to view (in pdf format) - Appendix "B"
• Click here to view (in pdf format) - Technical Informatation "Part-II"

INDIGENISATION

Introduction

Indigenous production of defence equipment and spares is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Defence Production and Supplies in the Ministry of Defence. Seven Technical Committees (TCs), each under the Chairmanship of a technical Director function directly under the aegis of a Central Technical Committees (CTC), Chaired by Secretary (Defence Production & Supplies). The CTC annually monitors the progress of various TCs and lays down guidelines for their smooth functioning.

Although the task of indigenisation of spares for defence equipment is entrusted to various TCs, indigenisation is also undertaken by EME, DGOS & various Ordnance Factories for items under their purview & capabilities. In addition, EME & DGOS play a very significant role in all the indigenisation activities by way of compilation & forwarding of requirements, provisions of budgetary support, User and Technical evaluation and so on.

Procedure

The existing procedure for indigenisation of spares is based on Annual Provisioning Reviews (APR) being carried out at the respective Central Ordnance Depots (CODs). Draft Depot lists (DDLs) are prepared by CODs taking into account the dues in/ dues out , stocks held, status of import list etc. These lists are then discussed in Technical Sub Committee meeting held at the Depots where the samples for the items to be indigenised are also displayed. The sub committee comprises of representatives of DGQA, DGOS and DGEME. Depending on the nature and complexity of the item, items are offloaded to one of the agencies as follows :-

1. Items of simple nature, hardware or bought out items are given to Depot for local purchase/ manufacture.
2. Items that can be manufactured in BaseWorkshops are offloaded on EMEs.
3. Items of Complex /critical nature are taken up for indigenisation through trade.
4. Items where qtys are meager/ uneconomical for manufacture or technically not feasible for indigenisation are cleared for import.

The items selected for indigenous manufacture are projected on the Technical Committees (TCs) for procurement in the form of Final Depot List (FDLs). TCs are assigned yearly targets , both in terms of number as well as value. After receipt of indents, the TCs are responsible for all action leading to placement of Supply Orders and their successful completion. The details of Technical Committees are given below :-

SL NO.

Type of Items

Technical Committee

01.

Armament Stores

Chairman
Technical Committee (Arm)
H Block, DHQ PO
New Delhi –110 011

02.

Electronic Stores

Chairman
Technical Committee (L)
G Block, DHQ PO New Delhi –110 011

03.

Engineering Equipment

Chairman
Technical Committee (EE)
Kashmir House
New Delhi –110 011

04.

General Stores

Chairman
Technical Committee (S)
G Block, DHQ PO New Delhi –110 011

05.

Vehicle Stores

Chairman
Technical Committee (Veh)
G Block DHQ PO New Delhi –110 011

06.

Marine Stores

Chairman
Technical Committee (Marine Stores)
West Blocxk-5, RK Puram
DHQ PO New Delhi –110 022

07.

Warship Stores

Chairman
Technical Committee (Warship Stores)
West Blocxk-5, RK Puram
DHQ PO New Delhi –110 022

Steps taken to encourage Indigenisation

Some steps taken to encourage indigenous industry for effective import substitution are :-

a) Defence Stores Display centers have been set up at Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai and Mumbai. Samples of various components requiring indigenisation are displayed in these centers where prospective suppliers can see the samples and the specification pertaining to these samples.

b) DGQA and Department of Industries jointly conduct several interaction meets with the industry, coupled with exhibitions of items required to be indigenised. This has given impetus to SSI units who have responded in large numbers to the call for further efforts in import substitution.

c) Vendor awareness programmes are being conducted by Defence Institute of Quality Assurance, (DIQA), Bangalore at various locations to educate the industry about Defence Registration procedures. Vendor Advisory cells have also been set up to provide information and guidance to the vendors.

d) A scheme for National Awards for Excellence in Indigenisation of Defence Stores and Equipments to Civil sector Firms have been introduced with the aim of recognizing the efforts put in by industry in meeting Defence requirements which are currently being imported and motivate them to take on indigenisation of more and more items involving higher technology. Under this scheme two awards are given every year in four different categories and carry a cash prize of Rs 50,000/- (First Prize) and Rs 30,000/- (Second Prize) alongwith a scroll of Honour in each category.

The Directorate General Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) has its headquarters at New Delhi with inspection establishment situated at various production centres. It performs the following functions:-

1. Quality assurance to aeronautical specifications during design and development, inspection of equipment, quality assurance of aircraft and engine overhauled by HAL , technical assurance inspection of imported aeronautical items procured by the Air Force; screening indents for imports keeping in view the indigenous availability.
2. The DGAQA has inspected aeronautical stores of the value of Rs.594.83 crore during current financial year upto October 1998. Aeronautical Stores of the value of Rs.600.00 crore is likely to be inspected during the period from November 1998 to March 1999.
3. The DGAQA associated itself with indigenous aeronautics development projects from prototype to proof. It participates in defect and accident investigations and suggest remedial measures.

To control item proliferation within Defence Services, The Directorate of Standardisation was constituted in 1962. Nine Standardisation Cells have been located at nodal stations to provide a booster to the standardisation activity. The basic objective of Directorate of standardisation is to establish commonality in equipment and components among the three Services so that overall inventory of the Defence Services is reduced to minimum.

This objective is sought to be achieved through:-

1. Preparation of standardisation documents such as joint services specifications, Joint Services Preferred Ranges, Joint Services Rationalised Lists, Joint Services guides, Joint Services Policy Statements and Joint Services Qualitative Requirements;
2. Codification and catologuing of Defence Inventory; and
3. Entry Control

Achievements

The achievements during the year have been :-

1. 24 important documents covering main equipment/assemblies, sub-assemblies have been published till Oct 99;
2. 340 standard documents which have completed 5 years have been revised; and
3. 300 items were considered for variety reduction under 15 Joint Services Rationalised Lists. This quantity was reduced by 34 items leaving 266 items. Thus bringing 11.3% variety reduction.

Codification and Cataloguing

In continuation of the process of accelerating the pace of codification, 15,84,00 items were codified till Oct 99 which represents an increase of more than 63% over the corresponding period last year. The annual target for codifing items is likely to the surpassed as the Directorate has already codified 3.30 lakh items till October 99 against its annual target of 3.829 lakh till 31^st March 2000. This has been possible due to upgradation of the Networking System and the EDP Cell of the Directorate.

Eighty-four catalogues covering main equipment/assemblies, sub-assemblies have been published till October 1998. Approximately 3,48,595 items have been codified so far which is 82.71% of the target for current year, and 72,642 items are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

For futher information visit www.defstand.gov.in

The Directorate of Planning and Coordination was set up in 1964 with the primary objective of preparing overall plans for the production of defence equipment in the country. In furtherance of its role, the Directorate represents the Department of Defence Production and Supplies in General Staff Equipment Policy, the R&D panels, Standardisation Committees, Task Forces and various monitoring committees. The Directorate also represents the Department of Defence Production & Supplies (DDP&S) in the licensing committee meetings of the Ministry of Industry to ensure that there is no overlap in the capacities created elsewhere and under the Ministry of Defence.The Directorate is also responsible for processing the cases of setting up of ordnance factories in the country at the green field site and monitor implementation of major projects relating to ordnance factories. In addition, it coordinates matters relating to indigenisation of defence hardware and monitoring of budget of the Ordnance Factory Board. The Directorate is the nodal point in the Department for international cooperation on defence production and defence exports.

Besides indigenous manufacture of armoured vehicles, setting up of facilities for manufacture and filling of high calibre ammunition as well as for overhaul of tanks and their engines, manufacture of sights and laser range finder for defence, product improvement of artillery guns and limited series production of Main Battle Tank ‘Arjun’ are some of the major programmes currently being progressed by the Directorate.

The Defence Exhibition Organisation (DEO) established in 1981, is primarily responsible for organising and coordinating defence exhibitions in India and abroad. It maintains permanent defence exhibition pavilions at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The Ordnance Factory Board, Defence Public Sector Undertakings(DPSUs), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Directorate General of Quality Assurance(DGQA), three Services, Coast Guard and National Cadet Corps(NCC) are represented in the exhibition.

Products manufactured by the ordnance factories and the defence public sector undertakings are displayed in the pavilion to provide an overview of the wide range of defence infrastructure in the country.

The defence exhibition organisation participated in the India International Trade Fair and won a Gold Medal for excellence in display during IITF 98. The organisation played an important role in conducting the Aero India 98 and DEFEXPO INDIA 1999.

These defence production units have become increasingly self-reliant. Additional capacities have been created and new items have been productionised. These include the main battle tank Arjun, the Advanced Light Helicopter(ALH) and a range of 155 mm anti-tank ammunition.

The defence sector corporates lend diversity, operational flexibility and enhanced efficacy borne out of autonomy and commercial disposition. The Ordnance factories and the DPSUs are to make use of civil and export sector in order to enhance the viability without detracting from defence commitments. These measures forge interaction between the defence production sector and civil industry to contribute to steady growth in the overall turnover of these units.

The total value of sales by ordnance factories and defence public sector undertakings:

(Rupees in crore)