Home Ministry relaxes Arms Rules

New Delhi [India], Oct. 30 (ANI): In an endeavour to boost the "Make in India" initiative the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday liberalised Arms Rules.

The decision was also taken to promote employment generation in the field of manufacturing of arms and ammunition.

"The MHA has liberalised the Arms Rules to boost "Make in India" manufacturing policy of the Government as also to promote employment generation in the field of manufacturing of arms and ammunition," the Home Ministry said in a press release.

PIB Director General for MHA Kuldeep Dhatwalia informed about the reformed rules through his official Twitter handle.

MHA gives a boost to "Make in India" in the field of manufacturing of arms:https://t.co/Sgmi95J1kS

— Kuldeep Dhatwalia (@PIBHomeAffairs) October 30, 2017

According to the new rules, license granted for manufacturing will be now valid for the lifetime. The requirement of renewal of the licence every five years has been done away with.

Licence granted for manufacturing shall now be valid for lifetime of licensee company,instead of renewal of license after every 5 years(3/9)

— Kuldeep Dhatwalia (@PIBHomeAffairs) October 30, 2017

Condition that small arms & light weapons produced by manufacturer shall be sold to Govt with prior approval of MHA, is done away with (4/9)

— Kuldeep Dhatwalia (@PIBHomeAffairs) October 30, 2017

Enhancement of capacity up to 15 percent will also not require any approval of the government.

Enhancement of capacity up to 15% of quantity approved under licence will not require further approval by Govt except prior intimation.(5/9)

— Kuldeep Dhatwalia (@PIBHomeAffairs) October 30, 2017

The licence fee has been reduced and the rules in the connection have also been liberalised.

The licence fee has been reduced significantly. The licence fee will now range from Rs. 5000 to the maximum of Rs. 50,000 (6/9)

— Kuldeep Dhatwalia (@PIBHomeAffairs) October 30, 2017

The fee for manufacturing licence shall be payable at the time of grant of license rather than at the time of application (7/9)

— Kuldeep Dhatwalia (@PIBHomeAffairs) October 30, 2017

The manufactures will now be able to continue manufacturing on their old licence.

Single manufacturing licence will be allowed for a multi-unit facility within the same State or in different States within the country (8/9)

— Kuldeep Dhatwalia (@PIBHomeAffairs) October 30, 2017

Earlier in 2016, the Arms Rules were made stringent with the demand of licence for air guns and air rifles as well, bringing disappointment for gun owners, dealers and manufacturers. (ANI)