Arms makers allowed to enhance production

New Delhi, January 21

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The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a fresh notification specifying new rules for arms manufacturers, which allow them to enhance annual production of firearms and ammunition.

It, however, has asked the arms manufacturers to submit online every month the monthly details of the firearms manufactured, sold or transferred or consumed under provisions the Arms (Amendment) Rules, 2022.

Must intimate licensing authority

The manufacturer… shall be permitted to have enhanced annual production of firearms or ammunition… by giving intimation to the licensing authority and also to the state government concerned. MHA notification

A gazette notification with regard to new rules was issued by the MHA on Thursday. “The manufacturer who has been issued licence in Form VII under these rules shall be permitted to have enhanced annual production of firearms or ammunition or calibre-wise revision of his licensed capacity by giving intimation to the licensing authority and also to the state government concerned within ninety days from the end of the financial year and for which no further endorsement on the licence as to capacity shall be required,” reads the notification, a copy of which is with The Tribune.

While applying, the manufacturer has to submit detailed proposal for enhancement of manufacturing capacity or calibre-wise revision of licenced capacity, project outlays, means of finance and justification for economic viability and market demand projections, duly certified by the authorised signatory of the company.

Prior approval of the licensing authority will be mandatory for any change in control, either directly or indirectly, of the company. —