New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 28 reviewed contribution of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordinance Factory Board (OFB) to fight COVID-19 and their operational plans through video conference.
Appreciating their innovative skills in devising manufacture of new products to fight COVID-19, he directed them to prepare contingency plans for resumption of operations after the lifting of lockdown to compensate for the lost working time to the extent possible and ramp up production.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plans to revive the economy post-lockdown, Singh said DPSUs along with private defence industry could play a major role in the economic revival.
The minister appreciated the monetary contribution of about Rs 77 crores made by the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence (MoD), OFB and DPSUs to the PM CARES Fund, generated from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and one day salary contribution.
OFB reported that there was no COVID-19 positive case in any of its 41 manufacturing locations. Its contribution in fighting COVID-19 included repair of more than 100 ventilators, manufacture 12,800 Coveralls, development of specialised machines for testing of PPEs, supply of 6.35 lakh masks to local authorities, supply of 340 specialised tents to Arunachal Pradesh for COVID 19 patients, distribution of one lakh litres of hand sanitizer.
OFB has earmarked 280 isolation beds at its hospitals in 10 locations. In addition, HAL has also earmarked 93 isolation beds in Bangalore for COVID-19 patients.
Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has made arrangements to manufacture 12,000 ventilators next month and another 18,000 in June. Around 3,000 engineers will also participate in training of the health professionals in operationalising these ventilators.
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has manufactured 300 aerosol cabinets and supplied them to various hospitals. It has also distributed 56,000 masks and extended support to migrant labourers.
In addition, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has also earmarked 93 isolation beds in Bangalore for COVID-19 patients. No positive COVID-19 case has been recorded among HAL employees.
Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) is also working with eminent scientists for finalisation of design for ventilators.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) provided PPE and medicines worth Rs five lakh to Naval Quarantine Centre, Mumbai and distributed 4,000 litres of sanitiser.
Almost all DPSUs have made contingency plans to ramp up production after the lockdown is lifted by drawing up plans to work in three shifts and extending the work days from five to six days a week. Work will be carried out by observing social distancing and other relevant health guidelines.
Secretary, Department of Defence Production, Raj Kumar, senior officials of Department of Defence Production, MoD, senior officials of OFB, BEL, HAL, MDL, Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), BDL, Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. (HSL), Midhani Mishradhatu Nigam Ltd (MIDHANI) and Goa Shipyard Ltd participated in the video conference.
