With license not renewed, NRAI running out of ammunition

PUNE: The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) have scheduled the national selection trials in Bhopal from March 8, however, they have run out of ammunition.
The apex body for shooting sport in the country has a limited stock of ammunition which would be distributed to the shooters on a 'first-come-first-serve' basis. If the scarcity of ammunition is worrying, then the reason for the scarcity is even more troubling.
The NRAI has been waiting for their dealer's license to get renewed for almost three months.
NRAI is the only body in the country which can import and sell ammunition to the shooters, Sports Authority of India, many private academies and clubs along with the sports unit of Border Security Force and even Delhi Police.
In absence of a license, NRAI have not been able to import ammunition, and are left with limited stock which won't last more than a week. The shooting body has posted a notice on their website asking the shooters to acquire ammo as it will be allotted on a first-come-first serve basis.
"Renewal of license is a routine process and we get it done every time it is due. However, this time despite applying for it and following it up, we haven't got the license renewed," NRAI secretary general Kanwar Sultan Singh told TOI.
"Normally, when the license is under process, we get a provisional certificate which allows us to import the ammunition. But this time, the authorities are not even ready to give us the provisional certificate," he said.
Office of the Joint Commissioner of Police, Licensing Unit, Delhi, is the authority that takes care of the process. Joint Commissioner OP Mishra couldn't be connected despite several attempts.
Singh said he has contacted the sports secretary Sujata Chaturvedi since the NRAI is not getting any response from the licensing authority.
"We have informed the sports secretary and she expressed her concerns over the issue, but still we haven't received any respite on the issue."
Indian shooters will be participating in the ISSF World Cups in March (shotgun, rifle and pistol). If the NRAI doesn't get the license or the provisional certificate to import ammunition, chances are high that the Indian shooters will not be able to train and participate in the World Cups.
"We have to pick squads for the Asian Games and World Cups. Soon there will be competitions offering Olympic quotas, how are we supposed to train our shooters without ammunition? It will be chaos," the secretary general said.