He was speaking at a function organised to mark the handing over of the first lot of AK-47 ammunition to the Additional DIG, CRPF, U B S Teotia.

Chairman of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) D Rajgopal handed over the first lot of ammunition to the Central Reserve Police Force.

According to Ramaratnam, the steel cartridges were in conformity with international standards and were much cheaper and lighter. He also handed over a feasibility report on the chemically operated detonator used for hand grenades, which is being replaced by four second electronic delay detonator.

In his address, Rajgopal commended the employees in the concerted efforts put in by AFK in developing the AK-47 ammunition and electronic delay detonator indigenously, resulting inconsiderable savings to the National Exchequer. He emphasised the need to explore the domestic market by supplying ammunition to the sporting activities.

He received a cheque of Rs 10,86,000 from the senior general manager as a donation towards the Kargil fund. The amount consists of a day's wages contributed by the AFK employees. S Ramaratnam, wife of the senior general manager and president of Women Welfare Association, Khadki branch, handed over an amount of Rs 50,000 towards the martyrs of Kargil to the chairman.

Two of the employees of the factory were felicitated by the chairman of OFB and declared cash awards of Rs 5,000 each from the board for their innovative work in the electronic delay detonator.