SOP FOR INPUT MATERIAL INSPECTION

1.0 INSPECTION OF INPUT MATERIALS :

1.1 EXISTING PROCEDURE FOR INPUT MATERIAL
INSPECTION
Presently following category of materials are inspected by factory:
 All indirect materials irrespective of value
 Direct materials in cases where SO value is upto Rs.1 lakh and
where store is required urgently to meet production commitments.
 Raw-material, Half-wroughts etc.
 Input materials for 7 self-certification items and for 16 items under
new inspection criteria approved by M of D.
 Input materials in case of OCFC.
 Input materials in case of VFJ except critical stores.

All the remaining input materials are being inspected by Area Inspector of
DGQA.

MOD vide Order No. 16(2) /2004/ D(QA) dated 31 st March, 2005 has directed
that DGQA shall not inspect input material, including raw material, required by
the manufacturers in the case of Ordnance Factories & DPSU. However, DGQA
will continue to do Quality Audit and surveillance and the manufacturer shall be
duty bound to furnish all the test records and record of other quality checks
carried out by the manufacturer for inspection to the DGQA. Further DGQA
shall not vet indents from OFB & Sample rooms maintained by DGQA shall be
wound up. MOD has also issued clarification vide Order No. 16(2)/04/D (QA)
dated 15th June, 2005 which are relevant for implementing the orders.

1.2 Accordingly, the SOP for input material inspection to be carried out by
Ordnance Factory concerned is enumerated in succeeding paras.

Factory shall arrange inspection as per following categories:

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1. Self- Certification Category:
This status may be awarded to the firms at the discretion of GM for the item
fulfilling following criteria:
 No rejection found in past three years supplies for the particular item.
 The firm should have executed minimum three supply orders during past three
years.
 Firm is ISO 9001:2000 certified.
 Firm is of national and/or International repute i.e. firm must have supplied
/exported their goods to reputed firms.
 Turn over should be more than Rs. 2 Crore.
 The status of self-certification can be granted only when Sr. GM/ GM is fully
satisfied regarding quality of stores of the Firm. The responsibility for accepting
items on self-certification will be that of Sr. GM/GM and Addl. GM/QC.
2. Inspection at Firm Premises Category:
This status may be awarded to the firms at the discretion of GM for the item
fulfilling following criterion:
 Rejection found in past three years supplies for the particular item does not
exceed 5% of total supplies made.
 The firm should have executed minimum two supply orders during past three
years.
3. Inspection on Receipt Category:
This status shall be awarded to the firms for the item not falling in above two
categories. In other words Firms with following conditions will be in this category.
 Rejection found in past three years supplies for the particular item exceeds 5%
of total supplies made.
 New source / Executing Development Order.
 Supplying non-critical stores.
The above categorization shall be proposed by a sub-committee and approved by
GM.

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 DETAILED INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR INPUT
MATERIAL INSPECTION

1.0 Self- Certification Category:

1.1 THE SUPPLY ORDER WILL STIPULATE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Inspection Authority: Inspection Authority is not required to be

mentioned in the supply orders.
2. Inspection Officer: Authorized officer nominated by General Manager
(normally QC Officer) shall be Inspection Officer.
3. Criterion of inspection: Relevant Product Specification & Drawings.
4. S.O shall clearly stipulate that “GM reserves the right to change the
inspection agency to suit the convenience of the Factory and in the
interest of State”.
5. The copy of Supply orders will be endorsed to respective SQAOs of the
receiving factory and concerned AHSP.

1.2 ACTION BY FIRM:

 The Firm shall give Warranty/ Guarantee, pre-inspection report & Test
certificate of Lot tendered and dispatch the stores to consignee end
factory.

 The Firm shall forward its Bills for Payment with pre-inspection
report, Test Certificate, a covering declaration as per format given
below and Warranty / Guarantee certificates in place of I-Note and
other necessary documents as per existing payment procedure.

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1.3 ACTION BY ACCOUNTS OFFICE

Account Office shall make Payments on the basis of Warranty/ Guarantee

Certificate, pre-inspection report, and Test certificate and a covering
declaration by vendor jointly signed by supplier’s Quality control Manager
and Proprietor/ Managing Director/ General Manager in prescribed format in
place of I-Note. There is no other change in Payment procedure.
DECLARATION

We hereby declare that the products …………quantity ………… supplied by our company
…………vide challan No. ………… as per the S.O. no & date are meeting all
requirements laid down in the specification. We here by undertake to replace whole and /
or part consignment as the case may be in the event of its not meeting the requirements /
standards laid down in the supply order.

Quality control Manager Managing Director/ General Manager

Supplier’s stamp

1.4 CONSIGNEE END INSPECTION:

1.4.1 ACTION BY INSPECTION OFFICER:

On Receipt of stores in the Factory, Inspection Officer shall carry out

Consignee end Inspection, obtain production section acceptability/comments,
if required and sentence the MIS for taking it to stock charge. Any
discrepancy noticed shall be immediately intimated to the firm for settlement
as per procedure in vogue. MIS should be sentenced within 15days from the
date of receipt of stores in the factory.

1.5 ACTION BY ACCOUNTS OFFICE

Balance Payment shall be made by Account Office as per existing

procedure.
1.6 In case the lot tendered by firm is found rejected, the bulk of the same
should be stamped rejected with rejection stamp suitably to avoid mixing of
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such lots in future supply. The firm will be asked to tender fresh lot as per
procedure in vogue.

2.0 Inspection at Firm Premises Category:

2.1 THE SUPPLY ORDER WILL STIPULATE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Inspection Authority: Inspection Authority is not required to be

mentioned in the supply orders.
2. Inspection Officer: Authorized officer nominated by General Manager
(normally QC Officer) shall be Inspection Officer.

3. Criterion of inspection
 Relevant Product Specification & Drawings
 The samples drawal system i.e. whether it will be drawn by
representative of consignee factory or by representative of nearest
available Ordnance factory.
 Material or other Tests to be conducted according to the conditions
of Supply Order i.e. NABL accredited LAB where tests will be
conducted.
 To avoid delays in testing the samples, Factory will enter in to Rate
contract in advance with NABL accredited Labs wherever
warranted.
 Procedure of selection of proof sample.

4. S.O shall clearly stipulate that “GM reserves the right to change the
inspection agency to suit the convenience of the Factory and in the
interest of State”.
5. The copy of Supply orders will be endorsed to respective SQAOs of the
receiving factory and concerned AHSP.

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2.2 The DGM/Standard Cell on receipt of copy of Supply Order shall
prepare detailed Inspection Criteria and monitoring instructions and
issue to Inspecting Officer.

2.3 The Firm shall intimate to Inspection Officer with a copy to Sample
drawal factory regarding readiness of material for inspection with
following details:
1. Supply order No. & Date
2. Date of readiness of material
3. Item description and item code as per supply order
4. Quantity being tendered with pre-inspection report
5. Quantity within Delivery schedule or not. If not Firm should take DP
Extension from Purchase Officer and submit the copy of DP
amendment letter / quote the reference to the Inspection Officer.

2.4 The Inspection Officer shall depute sample drawal / Inspection team to
the Firm on receipt of inspection call letter from Firm.

2.5 Procedure For Drawing Samples:

2.5.1 ACTION BY VISITING TEAM

The Ordnance Factory representatives shall visit the Firm and take following
actions:
 Every factory shall provide individual & distinctive metal seals to
the inspectors considered for the work of inspection / drawal of
samples at Firm’s premises. The Ordnance Factory representative
(inspector) visiting the firm shall carry his assigned metal seal.
 Draw requisite number of random samples as per relevant standard
& sampling Plan and seal & bond the bulk.

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  Sealing Procedure for samples: The samples drawn shall be
sealed by both Firm and the OF representative visiting Firm.
Separate sealed packet shall be made if samples are to be handed
over to NABL Accredited Lab for Testing by Quality control
Officer of Near by Ordnance Factory.

 Sealing & Bonding Procedure for Bulk: Ordnance Factory

representative visiting the firm shall seal the Material. The
Ordnance Factory representative shall emboss seal and also sign
on the paper pasted at the joints of the packing. Sealed material
shall be kept in bond room. Small items can be bonded in a
container named as “Bonding Container”. The bond room (or
Bonding container) shall be locked with a lock to be operated by
two keys like Lockers in the Bank or put two locks. One Key
should be with the representative visiting firm & other with the
Firm. In case of two locks, keys of one lock will be with the firm
and keys of other lock shall be with representative visiting Firm.
The Ordnance Factory representative-visiting firm shall deposit
the key with the Inspection Officer in case he comes from
consignee factory. In case Ordnance Factory representative
comes from near by factory, he shall deposit key immediately
with the Officer responsible for Quality Control in his (near-by
factory) Factory.

 Forward the requisite number of samples duly sealed by Firm and

OF representative visiting Firm to the Inspection Officer of
Concerned Ordnance Factory by speed post / courier service or take
it personally.

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  Submit samples duly sealed by Firm and himself to designated QC
Officer of nearby Factory in case the samples are required to be sent
to NABL Accredited Lab for Testing by designated QC officer.
2.5.2 Action by designated QC Officer of Near-by Ordnance Factory

 Check the seals of samples received from OF representative visiting

Firm & Open the samples.
 Pack the samples along with Test button/ Test Slabs/Test Piece as
required and seal the packet.
 Forward samples to concerned NABL / authorized Lab. along with
Test button/ Test Slabs/Test Piece through different person (Not the
person who had drawn the samples from Firm’s premises) as
applicable as per directives of consignee factory / Inspection
Officer.
 Secrecy of Samples To maintain the secrecy of samples, a
random reference Number will be given along with sample to
the NABL Lab. The Name of Firm whose sample is being tested
shall not appear on the requisition handed over to the NABL
Lab. The same reference number along with other details of
supply order and firm name etc. will be sent to the Inspection
Officer by confidential speed post by designated QC Officer to
enable linking.
 NABL Lab shall forward the report directly to Inspection Officer in
sealed cover.
 Designated QC Officer of nearby factory shall arrange to receive
keys of Bonded bulk and arrange to keep in safe custody and
arrange to depute another representative (Not the same person who
visited to draw samples) with acceptance stamp on receipt of
instructions from Inspecting Officer.

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2.5.3 ACTION BY INSPECTION OFFICER

 On receipt of samples from Rep. deputed, the inspection officer of

consignee Factory shall carry out visual and dimensional inspection
and shall arrange testing of samples including proof of empty /
Fitment trial wherever applicable.

 In case consignee Factory representative brings samples personally

to the factory that are required to be tested in own/NABL Accredited
Lab, the inspection Officer shall arrange to send these samples to
own/NABL Accredited Lab as per procedure laid down at 2.5.2
above.

 A report shall be prepared by inspection Officer based on above

inspection and own/NABL Accredited Lab report wherever
applicable.

 Inspection Officer shall obtain comments of acceptability from

concerned production section, if required, before sentencing the
material.

 Inspection Officer shall sentence I-Note based on Test Results and

feedback from user section, wherever applicable.

 Inspection officer shall forward I-Note to sample drawal factory in

case samples drawn by latter.

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  The computerized record of person being deputed should be
maintained by the inspection Officer with Supply Order No., Firms
name, Item code, Item Nomenclature, quantity etc.

 Inspection Officer shall depute another representative (not the same

person who had drawn the samples & sealed) to the Firm from
consignee Ordnance factory. In case samples are drawn by sample
drawal factory the inspection Officer with the help of Quality control
officer of sample drawal factory shall depute another representative
(not the same person who had drawn the samples & sealed) to the
Firm. The representative shall carry the key to open the bond room (in
case item bonded) along with copy of I-Note. The representative shall
check the seal of bulk, stamp@ acceptance mark and hand over I-Note
to the firm.

@: Every Ordnance factory shall provide individual & distinctive stamp

acceptance / stamp rejection to the inspectors(representatives) considered for
this job. In case the item is stamped by representative of sample drawal factory
(near-by Factory) the stamp mark will be that of the individual visiting as
assigned to him.

2.5.4 ACTION BY FIRM :

The firm shall dispatch the accepted stores with seal intact duly
stamped with acceptance mark. The Firm shall forward its Bills for Payment
with I-Note and other documents as per procedure in vogue.

2.5.5 ACTION BY ACCOUNTS OFFICE

Account Office shall make Payments as per procedure in vogue.

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2.6 CONSIGNEE END INSPECTION:

2.6.1 ACTION BY INSPECTION OFFICER:

On Receipt of stores in the Factory the seal and acceptance stamp
should be checked. Inspection Officer shall carry out Consignee end
Inspection, obtain production section acceptability/ comments, if required and
sentence the MIS for taking the item in to stock charge. MIS should be
sentenced within 15 days from the date of receipt of stores in the factory. Any
discrepancy noticed shall be immediately intimated to the firm for settlement.

2.6.2 ACTION BY ACCOUNTS OFFICE

Balance Payment shall be made by Account Office based on sentenced
MIS as per procedure in vogue.

2.7 In case the samples tendered by firm are found rejected, the bulk of the
same should be stamped rejected with rejection stamp suitably to avoid
mixing of such lots in future supply. The firm will be asked to tender fresh lot
as per procedure in vogue.

3.0 Inspection on Receipt Category:

3.1 THE SUPPLY ORDER WILL STIPULATE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Inspection Authority: Inspection Authority is not required to be

mentioned in the supply orders.

2. Inspection Officer : Authorized officer nominated by General Manager

(normally QC Officer) shall be Inspection Officer.
3. Criterion of inspection

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  Relevant Product Specification & Drawings
 Material or other Tests to be conducted according to the conditions
of Supply Order i.e. NABL accredited LAB where tests will be
conducted.
 To avoid delays in testing the samples, Factory will enter in to Rate
contract in advance with NABL accredited Labs wherever
warranted.
 Procedure of selection of proof sample (if required).

4. S.O shall clearly stipulate that “GM reserves the right to change the
inspection agency to suit the convenience of the Factory and in the
interest of State”.
5. The copy of Supply orders will be endorsed to respective SQAOs of the
receiving factory and concerned AHSP.

3.2 ACTION BY FIRM:

The Firm shall dispatch the Bulk stores for inspection and payment to
the Consignee end Factory as per Delivery schedule. In case Delivery
schedule is expired the Firm shall take approval & DP Extension from
Purchase Officer before dispatching the store.

3.3 ACTION BY INSPECTION OFFICER:

On Receipt of stores in the Factory, the inspection Officer shall arrange
for inspection of the store against MIS as following:

 The inspection officer of consignee Factory shall arrange for drawal

of samples as per relevant standards & sampling plans. He shall
arrange to carry out
 Visual and dimensional inspection
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  Proof of empty / Fitment trial wherever applicable.
 Forward samples to own/ NABL accredited Lab wherever
warranted.
 A report shall be prepared by inspection Officer based on above
inspection and NABL Accredited Lab reports.

 Inspection Officer shall obtain comments of acceptability from

concerned production section, if required, before sentencing the
material.

 Inspection Officer shall sentence MIS based on Test Results as per

above paragraphs. MIS should be sentenced within 15 days from the
date of receipt of stores in the factory.

3.4 ACTION BY ACCOUNTS OFFICE:

Accounts Office shall make payment to the Firm as per procedure in

vogue.

3.5 In case the lot tendered by firm is found rejected, the bulk of the same
should be stamped rejected with rejection stamp suitably to avoid
mixing of such lots in future supply. The firm will be asked to tender
fresh lot as per procedure in vogue.

4.0 IFD ITEMS :-

4.1 The present practice of quality audit and surveillance by way of

control point check and surveillance check carried out by DGQA
shall continue.

4.2 The inspection note for inter factory transfers shall be issued by
quality Control Wing of the factory.

4.3 DGQA will issue certificate of having carried out control point
checks and surveillance audit.
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5.0 Imported Stores:

5.1 The present practice of PDI by DGQA for items being procured
through orders placed by DOD including those under TOT shall
continue.

5.2 As far as spares and input material procured directly by OFB, the
responsibility of inspection shall rest with OFs.

6.0 Quality Audit and surveillance of input material and

manufacturing process :

6.1 Factory will provide test report and other relevant papers on
demand for quality audit by DGQA.
6.2 DGQA will allow use of its lab for testing whenever requested
by OFs.
6.3 Relevant records and tests reports, as may be required, are to be
produced before DGQA at the time of final inspection.
6.4 In case of critical items to be identified mutually by OF and
concerned Controllers/SQAO, selective sampling of input
material collected from consignee end will be done by DGQA
and tested in the facility available with OF or lab of DGQA
without affecting the production schedule. The test results shall
be shared with the concerned OF. The frequency of sampling
will be initially decided while identifying the critical items and
frequency will be increased/decreased depending on the
performance. In case of difference of opinion in identification of
critical items and frequency of sampling, same shall be referred
to OFB whose decision in this regard shall be final.
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 6.5 DGQA shall continue to perform control point checks and
surveillance audit as being carried out at present.

7.0 Documentation : Standard Office of the Factory and SQAE shall

jointly prepare/review comprehensive inspection/Quality Assurance
Plan for each product. While undertaking the above exercise,
identification of critical items and frequency of sampling as mentioned
in para 6.4 above will also decided. This exercise will be completed
latest by 31st December, 2005.
8.0 Inspection Officer: Sr. General Manager/ General manager shall
nominate an Officer in the Rank of Jt. GM/ DGM (normally Quality control
Officer) who shall function as Inspection Officer.
9.0 Sample Room:
Sample Rooms maintained by DGQA shall be wound up. Therefore Ordnance
Factories shall maintain the sample rooms. Sample room should maintain
sealed samples and certified samples.
Certified samples must be used as guidance samples for inspection.
Sealed Samples : Sealed sample form a part of paper particulars governing
supplies.
Certified Samples: Certified samples are similar to sealed sample, which is
issued for guidance in inspection.

10.0 Vigilance Check Sample:

General Manager shall arrange for drawal of samples from the bonded/ sealed
lots at the Firm’s premises on random basis independently. These samples
shall be tested and compared with the samples drawn by representative
deputed by Inspection Officer. This exercise must be ensured before payment
to the Firm is made.

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11.0 Standard Cell: A cell shall be created in all Ordnance factories under the
overall control of AGM/QC and headed by DGM/standards, which shall
perform following functions:

 Shall vet indents placed on OFB concerning the Factory

 Shall vet extracts placed by OFB on Factory
 Shall vet IFDs
 Shall vet the Tender enquiries
 Shall vet Supply Orders placed by the factory
 Shall issue monitoring instructions for inspection
 Shall maintain all records in computer for deviations granted and
price reduction imposed.
 Shall initiate action for continual improvement through Alteration
committee where better material at competitive rates is available
than design/specification.
 Shall maintain & upkeep Drawings for input materials.
 Shall maintain & upkeep sample room.
 Shall prepare in association with SQAE the critical stores list and
sampling frequency of these critical stores for drawal of samples by
SQAE.
 Shall supply the latest drawings and specifications to demanding
shops / sections and will withdraw superceded drawing /
specifications from the shop / section.

12.0 Deviations:

Circumstances arise when the supplier of a store may request permission to

depart from the particular guiding production specifications. Such requests
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may be made either prior to the commencement of production or entail grant
of a concession to accept errors made during the manufacturing of a store.
The authorization of an intentional departure from store specification, in order
to facilitate production, will be made by the issue of a deviation permit.

12.1 Deviation Permit:

A deviation permit constitutes permission to use material or to

manufacture components and stores, which differ from design or
specification and is limited in its application to cover a definite quantity
or period or a particular S.O. Authority for granting a Deviation Permit
rests with the appropriate authority. Full particulars of the departure
authorized must be stated in the permit.

 All records of deviation granted shall be maintained on

computer.

 The standard cell shall periodically review the deviations granted

in respect of a particular store and in consultation with AHSP
will consider whether particulars could be amended to
incorporate such deviations persistently occurring to make the
specifications more realistic.

 In case better material is available at competitive rates than

design/specification, the proposal for continual improvement
through Alteration committee shall be initiated by standard cell.

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 In the past system was existing where deviation were granted in
following categories:

Category Nature of Deviation

of
Deviation
‘A’ Major deviations in design and material affecting
serviceability/function, interchangeability or
durability, but not safety.
‘B’ Major Deviations in design and material affecting
durability but not affecting
serviceability/function, interchangeability or
safety.
‘C’ Deviations in design and material causing minor
changes in durability, but not affecting
serviceability /function, interchangeability or
safety.
‘D’ Minor deviations in design and material but not
affecting durability, serviceability/function,
interchangeability or safety.
‘E’ Minor deviations in manufacturing details not
affecting design, material, serviceability/
functions, interchangeability, durability or safety.

CVC has issued guidelines that sub-standard material should not be

accepted even with price reduction. Accordingly material falling in A,
B & C categories shall normally not be granted any deviation. However
there may be need to accept material with minor deviations that do not
affect serviceability / function, durability, interchangeability or safety.
In such cases GM may authorise the officer in charge of quality control
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 (AGM/QC) to approve minor deviations in manufacturing details not
affecting design, material, serviceability / functions, interchangeability,
durability and safety. DGQA will provide list of minor deviations
allowed during the preceding 05 years to OFs which will be used as
guide for allowing minor deviations. The vendors should improve the
quality of the product so that grant of deviations is not perpetuated.
Deviations granted shall be intimated to the concerned AHSP giving
full details of the supply order, manufacturer, date of inspection,
deviation granted. Deviations in design/use of alternate material shall
not be allowed by OFs. However, in case deviations in design/use of
alternate material is required to be granted in specific supply order
keeping in view the immediate requirements, the same may be allowed
after due consultations between OFs and AHSP concerned and with the
approval of AHSP.

12.2 The Format of PD Form is given below at 12.4. The production/QC

section shall intimate the need to accept the material on deviation to
Material Management section, who in turn, shall fill and initiate PD
Form given at 12.4 along with Deviation Discount (DD) form,
wherever required, given at 12.5 below. The Deviation in PD form
shall be filled up and approved by the sanctioning authority authorised
by General Manager.

12.3 There may be cases where deviation, so granted, have significant

bearing on the cost of the material. In such cases, General Manager
may like to obtain suitable discount from the firm. A Standing
Committee as given in table 12.6 below may be formed for deciding
the amount of discount. The Standing Committee will decide the
quantum of discount and Material Management Section shall intimate
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 the discount decided by the committee to the firm. On receipt of
written agreement from firm, the Supply Order shall be amended by
Material Management Section to indicate the amount of discount and
the MIS will be sentenced and accepted on deviation.

12.4 PRODUCTION DEVIATION FORM

( Use one form for only one item)
S.O/IFD No.____________ date_____________
MIS No.________________ date_____________
i) Name of Supplier_______________________________________
ii) Nomenclature of Store______________________________________
iii) Particulars quoted_________________________________________
Drawing No._____________________________________________
Specifications____________________________________________
Other Particulars__________________________________________
iv) Period, quantity or lot Nos. for which deviation required
_________________________________________________________
v) Description of deviation required ____________________
vi) Details of specified and suggested material (Chemical & Physical) (in
cases of materials only), including a comparative statement of value per
unit of specified and of suggested material readily available.
Specified Suggested
vii) Category for deviation:

Jt. GM/DGM/WM / Material Management

Approved by AGM/QC.

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 12.5 DEVIATION DISCOUNT FORM
12.5.1 PART I

S.O.NO. : Date : Supplier :

Item : Item Code:
Qty on order : Rate : Qty. of Deviation
Qty accepted under original requirement :
Details of stores accepted earlier under deviation :
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sl..No. Supplier Qty. Nature of Category Ref. No.
accepted deviation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M.I.S No. & Date :
Category of deviation :
Deviation sanctioned by : enclose sanctioned PDF Form

DO/MM

12.5.2 PART II

RECOMMENDATION OF STANDING COMMITTEE

Quantum of Deviation Discount recommended (justification for the quantum

of DD to be given)

Qty. acceptable :
Reference under which firm has accepted Deviation discount :
Remarks :
Date :

DGM/Standard DO/QC DO/Prodn. AO DO/MM

12.6 STANDING COMMITTEE FOR GRANT OF DEVIATION DISCOUNT

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STANDING QUANTUM OF SANCIONING
COMMITTEE DISCOUNT AUTHORITY
GO/DO QC Committee to AGM/QC up to
DGM/ Standard decide 5%,
GO/DO PV(MM) Sr.GM/GM
GO/DO PROD. beyond that
A.O Rep.

13.0 Dispute:

In case of dispute between Firm and inspection Officer, the case shall be
referred to General Manager for appropriate test and decision.

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