In some quarters it has been suggested that the equipment that is being received by us in the form of aid is not being assimilated quickly enough and made available to the troops in forward positions. I would like to assure the House that these suggestions are not correct. Before new equipment could be distributed to the formations, we had to carefully work out their logistics, we had also to undertake intensive programme  of training of our troops in the use of such equipment, some of which was new to our Army. This process was by and large completed several months ago and the equipment is now reaching the troops without any loss of time.

I am sure the House would agree with me that in the long run we must rely on our own efforts for substaining our Armed Forces. For this it is essential that we modernise and expand our defence industries. In this context, I would like to inform the house of the results of our efforts in three or four important directions.

We have paid considerable attention to step up the capacity of the existing Ordnance Factories, the present rate of production is more than double the rate of production before the emergency. In no small measure this has been possible due to the exemplary sense of partiotism shown by the workers in our Ordnance Factories by working long hours to speed up production.

We have also surveyed the plant and a machinery of the existing Ordnance Factories and taken steps for replacement of old or outmoded machines wherever necessary. We have undertaken modernisation of tool rooms and improvement of material handling facilities. Some new lines of production have been established in the existing factories.

The House is aware that we had undertaken production of semi-automatic rifle at the Ichapore Rifle Factory. Although efforts to develop and produce this weapon were started early in 1960, it was later on found that to meet the highest standards of performances required of such a basic weapon by the user this weapon had to he improved in several respects. I am happy to inform the House that after great deal of hard work and effort by the officers and men of the Ichapore Rifle Factory as well as many others, they have now developed a weapon which is entirely satisfactory to the user. In fact the rifle, the production of which has now started, is in some respects superior to similar weapons produced elsewhere. The development and production of this basic weapon for the Indian Army is no mean achievement.

Our principal need is to equip the Army with lighter weapons possessing improved fire power. For achieving this end, we had planned establishment of six new Ordnance Factories with the assistance of friendly countries. We on our part have proceeded with necessary arrangements for acquisition of land, preparation of plans and estimates for constructional work, making arrangements for supply of water, power and other necessities. To speed up construction we have appointed the State Governments as agencies for execution of works.