In regard to the efforts that we made, at present, I must say that nearly the 21 ordnance factories that we have got, and some air production factories too, that is, aircraft manufacturing factories, are really doing especially very good work. Whether they have produced immediately what we need is certainly a different question. I can certainly make a very appreciative reference to the work done by the ordnance factory workers. I must salute them for the way that they have worked. In fact, not only have they worked in the factories, but in addition to that the generous way in which they have donated to the defence fund shows their patriotic feelings. Naturally, there is gap between production and our needs today. That is because our ordnance factories are rather antiquated. I think that it is better that we are realistic and know what the whole thing is about. Sometimes, somebody says that nothing is happening. We do not think that nothing is happening. The production is going up because of these efforts, the whole-time efforts made by the patriotic workers.
But the first thing that we have to undertake and we have undertaken–I must say, it was undertaken since 1960— is a big programme of modernising and expanding the present ordnance factories; that was undertaken and now it is gradually materialising.
In addition to this, we propose to have a new complex of production. It is intended, rather, it is planned, and the planning has begun, to have six new ordnance factories for the arms and ammunition. Much depends upon the quickness or the rapidity with which we shall be able to complete them. It depends upon the efforts of my good friend Shri T.T. Krishnamachari who is going abroad for these efforts. But certainly, we are not waiting for that. Our planning efforts are there, and we have already begun them here. And I am hopeful that if these efforts succeed in good time, these new factories should he able to go into production within two or three years. I am making a rather cautious estimate of the time that is required.
In order to streamline the administration for the production effort, we have recently reorganised our administrative set-up to a certain extent by- delegating more powers to the people on the spot, by starting some new training centres at different ordnance factories, and so on and so forth, and one officer who is a great expert in that line has been made solely and specially responsible for the development of the new complex of factories that are going to come into existence soon.
Now, I would like to mention some other detailed points that were mentioned by my hon. friends. A very important point that was mentioned was about the NEFA enquiry. I gave on the floor of this House the terms of reference that were given for the enquiry. As I said, it is my considered opinion that the terms of reference are comprehensive enough to make the necessary enquiry, which it is intended to make. The intentions certainly are to make a sort of military appraisal and to draw some military lessons from it.
I may try to argue with the House or some of the Members, if they are in a mood to listen to me on this point, that, if at all, we have to make this serious effort for the national defence should we still go on in that mood of a witch-hunt ? Supposing there are mistakes, should we not be ready to forget some mistakes and come together to look to the future?
