The details of fire incidents in the Army Ordnance/Ammunition Depots during last three years are as under:

(a)       On 26.3.2010, a fire incident took place in Ammunition Depot (AD) Panagarh in which 332 MTs of ammunition worth Rs.18 crores was destroyed.

(b)       On 20.11.2010, a fire incident took place in Ammunition Point (AP) Binaguri in West Bengal in which 19 MT Unserviceable Ammunition of 'nil' value was damaged.

There was no loss of life in both the incidents.

            A Staff Court of Inquiry was ordered in each case by GOC-in-C HQ Eastern Command and no individual was found blameworthy for these incidents. No civilian was affected in the incidents.

            The following measures have been taken to check the recurrence of such incidents in future:-

(i)        All depots have updated safety and security instructions.

(ii)      All depots have been inspected by a Board of Officers to check adequacy of fire safety and security arrangements.

(iii)     349 trucks for fire fighting have been provided to the Units.

(iv)     Unserviceable ammunition is being disposed off on priority.

(v)       Rs.1736 crores have been allocated from 1999 onwards forammunition storage accommodation

This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A K Antony in a written reply to Shri BhismaShanker alias KushalTiwari and Shri  G.M. Siddeshwarain Lok Sabha today.

PK/NN