Reports regarding supply of Defective Ammunition by OFB

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.)
(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)
CENTRAL OFFICE: 2-A, NAVEEN MARKET, KANPUR – 208001, PH & FAX : (0512) 2296229
MOBILE: 09335621629, 08765070982 WEB : www.bpms.org.in, Email: [email protected]

REF: BPMS / MOD / Production / 186 (8/1/R)

Dated: 16.05.2019

To
The Secretary,
Department of Defence Production,
Govt of India, Min of Defence,
South Block, DHQ PO,
New Delhi – 110011

Subject: Reports regarding supply of Defective Ammunition by OFB

Respected Sir,
I am directed to bring the following for your personal attention with a request to take immediate cognizance.

For the past few days, there has been a flurry of reports in the Media on the subject issue, quoting documents available in your Office and pegging loss amounting to crores of rupees on account of defective ammunition.

The manufacture of arms and ammunition was regulated under a licensing system established by the Arms Acts (1959) and Arms Rules (1962) and was under Government domain. The manufacturing of Small Arms for armed forces/paramilitary forces/police, have always been confined to the Department of Defence Production. Even after liberalization of the Indian economy and removal of licensing regime for major industries, the private sector was not allowed in this sector. There are 95 firms licensed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for the manufacture of guns (single barrel/double barrel) and 25 firms manufacturing cartridges (either blank cartridges or live cartridges or both) up to the quota permitted in their licenses. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) obtained a decision from the Cabinet during 2001 – 2002 to allow manufacture of arms and ammunition in the private sector with nil or upto 26% FDI, and issued Industrial licenses to some firms in the private sector namely Max Aerospace, Bharat Forge, L&T and Punj Lloyd etc to manufacture arms and ammunition, but the MHA never cleared it basically due to security concerns.

However, during 2016, in a U-Turn and under the aegis of ―Make In India‖ The Government notified New Arms Rules vide GSR-701€ dt.15/07/2017 and permitted the Private Sector to set up manufacturing units for Small Arms and Ammunition.

During the last week of November 2016, as per press reports, a request of information (RFI) was issued for participation in a $400 million program to manufacture of variety of ammunition in the next five to eight years, including 20,000 units of 125mm ammunition for T90 and T-72 tanks; 500,000 units of 23mm ammunition for Strella air defense systems; 300,000 units of 40mm ammunition for grenade launchers; 500,000 units of 40mm ammunition for multi-grenade launchers; 5,000 units of ammunition for Grad multi-barrel rocket launchers; 600,000 fuses for 155mm M-46 howitzers; 188,600 units of 30mm ammunition for the BMP armored vehicles; and 100,000 units of ammunition for 155mm FH77/B howitzers.

Indian private sector companies participating in the manufacturing of ammunition for the first time include both leading industrial houses — Chowgule Group, Kalyani Group, Reliance Defence Engineering Limited, and Godrej & Boyce — and several small- and medium-sized sector companies — Indtech Construction Private Limited, HYT Engineering Company Private Limited, Micron Instruments, Premier Explosives Limited, Solar Industries India Limited, Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited and Continental Defence Solutions Private Limited.

The report further mentioned that several overseas defense companies — such as Expal of Spain, Nexter of France, Rosoboronexport of Russia, Chemring Group of the United Kingdom, Saab of Sweden, Elbit of Israel, RheinmetallDefence of Germany, Diehl Defence of Germany, Denel of South Africa, Yugoimport of Serbia, Bumar of Poland, Orbital ATK Armament Systems of the United States and Arsenal of Bulgaria — are negotiating with
private Indian companies to provide cutting-edge technology for multiple Indian ammunition programs.

Expected DA from July 2019: DA 4% Confirm…5% Possible! – Click for more details

Press reports also indicate that a private player StumppSchuele Casings (SSC) Private Limited has decided to set up an ammunition manufacturing unit in Anantapur (AP) with an investment of Rs 1,020 crore.

The above was important to be mentioned because, the present report covers the entire range of ammunition covered under the RFI issued and hence a direct conspiracy to defame the OFB and create a favorable atmosphere towards the private sector stands established beyond doubt.

It may be pertinent to note that while OFB follows international best practices in QC, Quality is deeply ingrained in the Management practices in OFB, TQM is a major thrust area. Quality System Certification ISO 9001-2008, 14001-2004 have been obtained by all Factories. Further, as a result of such stringent quality control measures (like formation of Quality Audit Group), time and again the factories have been awarded the Golden Peacock National Quality Awards, Golden Peacock Innovation Award, Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award. One factory is also recipient of first prize in the National Quality Competition organized by Indian Institute of Metals.

The SOP on Quality Management Systems is an exhaustive document intricately ingraining every element and suggestions received from time to time from MoD, Raman Puri Committee etc.

It may also be pertinent to note the observations of the 38th Report of the Standing Committee on Defence (2017-18) presented in the Lok Sabha on 13/03/2018 wherein under Para D-18 it is mentioned that ―Quality Management including Input material Inspection – OFB is being entrusted with 1st Party QA functions in addition to existing responsibility for input material inspection, as part of implementation of Raman Puri Committee recommendations on QA functions, in the pilot project mode. The Ministry has considered the recommendations of Raman Puri Committee with regards to Quality function and Integration of Finance at factory level. In the first phase of the pilot project, 6 factories have been selected where OFs will be responsible and accountable for the quality of their products and DGQA will be responsible only for FAI (Final Acceptance Inspection). Based on outcome of the pilot project, decision will be taken for expanding the scope of the project to other factories under OFB.‖

From the above it is abundantly clear that all the products are cleared only after strict quality check by the Factory and followed up by DGQA which is controlled by Army Officers.

Hence we fail to understand as to how one set of Army Officers pass defective ammunition for use by another set of Army Officers? However, you are requested to do the needful so that a certain percentage (1% to 5%) of each & every lot of ammunition supplied by OFB may be used by Army/Air Force/Navy without delay for the counter checking and insuring the quality of the product in the interest of stake holders.

Nevertheless, we reiterate that the present press reports are false, baseless and are a conspiracy to defame OFB and promote the private sector.

As a responsible stake holder, we request you to quash such unfounded allegations and ensure that OFB gets more funds to modernize its plants.

In this connection, we also inform that OFB has already adopted the global architecture in the age of Industry 4.0, suffice to mention that implementation of the cyber-physical system will facilitate fundamental improvements to the Industrial processes involved in manufacturing, engineering, material usage, supply chain, QUALITY and life cycle management of products.

Thus, the systematic tarnishing of the image of a dynamic and agile organization by vested elements in conjunction with a section of the press is not only condemned but is strongly protested upon.

We do hope you shall take cognizance of this and arrange to do the needful at the earliest.

Thanking You,

Sincerely yours
sd/-
(MUKESH SINGH)
General Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)

Copy to: The DGOF & Chairman,
OFB, Kolkata – 700001
– With request to take appropriate action.

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Agenda Points for meeting with Joint Secretary (Navy)/Medical

BHARATIYA PRAITAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.)
(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)

CENTRAL OFFICE: 2-A, NAVEEN MARKET, KANPUR – 208001, PH & FAX : (0512) 2296229
MOBILE: 09335621629, 08765070982 WEB : www.bpms.org.in, Email: [email protected]

REF: BPMS/MOD/JS(N/M)/Meeting/173(8/1/M)

Dated: 11.04.2019

To,
Smt. Richa Mishra, IDAS,
Joint Secretary (Navy)/Medical,
Govt of India, Min of Defence,
198-B, South Block,
New Delhi – 110011

Subject: Meeting with BPMS Office Bearers / JCM Members.

Respected Madam,
With due regards, your attention is invited to MOD ID No. 21(16)/2005/D(JCM), dated 18.10.2013 which states that all officers may kindly grant interview/meeting to staff side JCM Members as and when demanded, after mutual consultation on the date and timings, so that pending issues can be discussed thoroughly and resolved at the earliest.

This federation would like to have a meeting with your goodself to discuss the following pending issues related to civilian employees of Min of Defence:-

{Dir (Navy-I) & NHQ}

1. Four Tier Structure of Ammunition Mechanics have been approved by MoD but the operating instructions have not been issued till now.

2. Employyes of NAY (Goa) & INS Hansa are not getting Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) though these establishments are registered under the Factories Act, 1948.

3. Naval Base Karwar has not implemented the Restructuring of Cadre of Artisan Staff in Defence Establishments in modification of recommendations of 6th CPC, introduced vide MOD ID No. 11(5)/2009-D(Civ-I) dated 14.06.2010.

4. 7th CPC upgraded the pay scale / Grade pay of Dressers in Railways from GP 1800/- to GP 2000/-. It has been implemented in Min of Railways & Ord Fy Board (MoD). Hence, erstwhile Dressers of NHQ should also be upgraded to GP 2000/-.

5. Employees are waiting for the approval of cadre review of Naval Aviation Civilian Technical Cadre including Air Structure.
{Dir (Med) & DGAFMS}

7. Reimbursement of Dental Treatment- Govt of India’s decisions (No.1) published under Rule 8 of CS(MA) Rules, 1944 allow the reimbursement of expenses incurred on Dental Treatment – (a) Extraction, (b) Scaling and Gum Treatment, (c) Filling of Teeth, (d) Root Canal Treatment and (e) Complete Denture. But a CGHS member may obtain the reimbursement/treatment of Flap Operation, Gingivectomy, Maxilla, Mandible, Splints, Cyst & Tumour of
Maxilla/Mandible, TM joint ankylosis, Biopsy, Maxillectomy, Release of Fibrous band, Pre-prosthetic surgery, Apicoectomy, Metal Crown, Glas Ionomer, Space Maintainers, Habit Breaking Appliances, Obturator, Occlusal Night Guard, etc. This discrimination/ disparity amongst the beneficiaries under CS(MA) Rules and CGHS must be removed.

{Dir (Navy-II) & DG Coast Guard}

8. Constitution of Social Dialogue Mechanism – JCM IV Level Council, Works Committee, Welfare Committee, Grievance Redressal Mechanism in Coast Guard.

9. Cadre Review of Artisan Staff (Industrial Employees) of Coast Guard.

10.Recognition of ‘Indian Coast Guard Civilian Employees Union, Chennai’. Therefore, you are requested to spare a few moments from your busy schedule for meeting to discuss the above issues in presence of Directors (Navy-I), (Navy-II), (Med) of MoD and Reps of NHQ, DGAFMS & DG Coast Guard. Kindly intimate the date, time and venue of the meeting as per your own convenient but preferred in the 1st half of May, 2019.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Sincerely yours
(MUKESH SINGH)
General Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)
FAX No. 0512 – 2296229

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Observance of three phase countrywide agitational programme by GDS JCA

ALL INDIA GRAMIN DAK SEVAK UNION (AIGDSU)

NATIONAL UNION OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS (NUGDS)

ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION – GDS (AIPEU-GDS)

No.GDS JCA/CHQ/6-3/ Programme /2018

Dt.24-09-2018

To
The Secretary,
Department of posts,
Dak Bhawan,
New Delhi-1

Sub:- Observance of three phase countrywide agitationalprogramme by GDS JCA

Sir,
As you are aware non-implementation of positive and basic recommendations of kamlesh Chandra committee on G.D.S Employees viz., implementation with effect from 01st of January 2016, gratuity Revision, SDBS/pension, 30 days paid leave, Enhancement of composite allowance, financial up gradation on completion of 12, 24 and 36 years of service etc. has generated resentment and discontentment among the G.D.S employees. It is pertinent to mention here that although discussions were held at Directorate, I am sorry to state that no progress is observed so far on any of the issues. Under the circumstances we are compelled to observe three phase fast Programme of agitation.

The above three GDS Unions, JCA decided the following countrywide agitational programme to settle the charter of demands.

Agitational programmes:
1.25-09-2018 : One day country wide hunger fast infront of Divisional Offices

2.04-10-2018 : One day country wide hunger fast in front of Circle Offices.

3.10-10-2018 : One day massive hunger fast in New Delhi.

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1) GDS committee report as a whole be implemented with effect from 01st of January 2016.

2) Change the formula already adopted for calculation of arrears.

3) Change of upper limit of gratuity from Rs 1,50,000/- to Rs 5,00,000/-
(a) GIS limit should be enhanced to Rs.5,00,000 with the subscription of Rs.500/-

4) 10% of the TRCA of the GDS should be recovered towards SDBS contribution and the Government to contribute equal share.
(a) And also EPF Scheme to be introduced to GDS as recommended by the GDS Committee. This was also recommended by the previous GDS Committees.

5) GDS should be granted 30days paid leave in a year and the leave should be allowed to be carry forward subjected to the maximum of 180 days and provide encashment of the leave.

6) Grant Children Education allowance Rs.6000/- per child per Annum.

7) Enhance composite allowance to the BPMs from Rs500/- to Rs 1600/- Also grant composite allowance to ABPMs & GDS working in classified cities and the GDS working in Departmental Offices etc., wherever applicable.

8) GDS employees should be granted financial up gradation on completion of 12, 24 and 36 years of service in the form of grant of additional increments.
(a) Point to point fixation to be ordered instead of bunching of TRCA scales.

9) Limited transfer facility to GDS on request should be relaxed. There shall not be any drop in wage scale on account of a request transfer. The transfer of GDS will be approved by Divisional head if the transfer is within the Division, by regional PMG if it is within the region by HOC if the transfer is within the Circle.

10) Voluntary discharge schemes for the GDSs: 3 types of voluntary discharge schemes as recommended by GDS committee for the GDSs’ who are willing to quit the post before the discharge at the age of 65 years should be implemented.

11) All discharge benefits (retirement benefits) should be implemented retrospectively, w.e.f 01 January 2016.

12) Put off duty may be averted by transferring the GDS to another place.

13) Incentive system should be abolished for India post payment bank (IPPB) work. Enhance the working hours of branch post office and GDS officials concerned after introducing the IPPB.

14) GDSs’ should be allowed to get discharge from the service on the last day of the month in which He/She attains the 65 years of the age.

15) All single handed branch post offices should be provided with one more hand to upgrade to double handed office.
16) Employees’ state Insurance ( ESI) facility to be extended to Grameen Dak Sevaks wherever E.S.I dispensaries and hospitals are available the country.

The programme will be a peaceful one.

This is for your kind information.

With regards,

Yours Faithfully,
S.S.MAHADEVAIAH
General Secretary
AIGDSU

P.U.MURALIDHARAN
General Secretary
NUGDS

P.PANDURANGARAO
General Secretary
AIPEU-GDS

Source: FNPO

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REF: BPMS/17th TC/NPS/Cir/33

Dated: 31.03.2018

To,
The Office Bearers and CEC Members
Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh
&
The President/ General Secretary
Unions affiliated to the federation

Subject: One day Agitational Programme on 24.04.2018 on Minimum Guaranteed Pension under National Pension System (NPS).

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Sadar Namaskar

It is hoped that all of you are well and busy in accelerating trade union activities. As all of you know that the Central Executive Committee Meeting of this federation was held on 26, 27 and 28 March 2018 in Dehu Road, Pune where it was decided to hold one day agitational programme on 24.04.2018 on Minimum Guaranteed Pension under National Pension System (NPS).

A resolution to this effect was also passed in the CEC Meeting held at Hyderabad during September 2015 and subsequently several correspondence were made. However, in spite of lapse of such a large time, no tangible action has been seen from the Govt side on the issue.

Therefore, in absence of any concrete step from the Govt side on the issue it becomes necessary to register our displeasure over the lethargic attitude of the Government and register our protest to constrain the machinery to redress the Grievance.

Hence, you are requested to hold one day agitation programme on 24.04.2018 using all feasible and effective trade union instruments like Gate Meeting, Use of Black Badges, Slogan Shouting, publicizing of programme at humongous level through posters/ hoardings/ banners/ pamphlets/ social media so that the issue may be resolved at the earliest. Further, you are requested to submit a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister of India through proper channel on 24.04.2018.

With regards,

Brotherly yours

(M P SINGH)
General Secretary

Source: BPMS

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REF: BPMS / RESOLUTION / 10(7/1/M)

Dated: 02.04.2018

To,
The Secretary,
Govt. of India, Min of Defence,
South Block, DHQ PO,
New Delhi – 110011

Subject: Resolutions adopted in the Central Executive Committee meeting of BPMS.

Respected Sir,
With due regards, it is submitted for your kind information that the Central Executive Committee meeting of this federation has held on 27th & 28th March, 2018 at Ordnance Factory Estate, Dehu Road, Pune and 03 Resolutions have been unanimously adopted by the CEC of the federation & the same are enclosed herewith for your kind consideration and further necessary action please.

This federation is in full hope to get favourable consideration in this regard.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Enclosed: As Mentioned

Sincerely yours

(MUKESH SINGH)
Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)

Copy to: The General Secretary
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh,
New Delhi.

The Prabhari,
BPMS, Camp Office, Pune

The Secretary General,
Govt Employees National Confederation,
Kanpur.
— For your kind information please.

Click to view Resolution No.1

Click to view Resolution No.2

Click to view Resolution No.3

Source: BPMS

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