Development Report-Defense- Part-1
Administrative Reforms
– Department of Military Affairs & Appt. of Chief of Defence Staff – The appointment of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and creation of Department of Military Affairs (DMA) is one of the major decisions taken by Modi Government. The post of CDS is created to increase efficiency & coordination among the Armed Forces and reduce duplication, while DMA was established to ensure improved civil-military integration. General Bipin Rawat was appointed as the first CDS who also fulfils the responsibilities of Secretary, DMA.
– OROP One Rank One Pension– In November 2015 Modi Government took a historic step by declaring OROP scheme which is aimed at ensuring uniform pensions for armed forces veterans retiring in the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of when they retire. This step was aimed towards ensuring the well-being of our great soldiers, who courageously protect our nation. In the UPA era no decision was taken in spite of various representations and agitations. In armed forces of India waited for OROP for decades. According to the Government over Rs 10,795.40 crores were distributed among 20.60 lakh ex-servicemen and their family pensioners as arrears with a yearly recurring expenditure of about Rs 7,123.38 crores.( Source- https://theprint.in/india/5-years-of-one-rank-one-pension-scheme-a-momentous-occasion-says-pm-modi/539034/) .
– Aatma Nirbharta in Defence-To promote ‘Make in India’ in defence sector, a list of 101 defence items was notified in August 2020, while Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 was unveiled in September 2020. Rs 52,000 crore budget was earmarked for indigenously made defence equipment in 2020-21. Corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was approved in May 2020 for greater efficiency and productivity. There was an unprecedented push towards new technology developments within India. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) developed a ventilator in record time to meet Covid-19 requirements in May 2020.In November 2020, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile, indigenously designed & developed DRDO, hit bullseye at medium range and medium height, while indigenously built Pinaka rocket system cleared test of 45-60 km range.
– Modernisation & increased transparency in Defence Acquisition-In highest-ever thrust towards modernisation in last 10 years, there was 10 per cent budget increase in 2020-21 over the previous year. Policy reforms for increased transparency included launch of new Defence Acquisition Procedure in September 2020 and revision of DRDO Procurement Manual in October 2020. To encourage start-ups, a provision was introduced for procurement as Buy Indian-IDDM, while leasing for non-mission critical requirements was introduced for the first time.
– Reforming Defence R&D-To promote innovation by young minds, five Young Scientists Laboratories of DRDO ( Defence Research & Development Organisation- the R & D wing ) were launched in 2020 in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. DRDO has joined hands with the private sector in design & development and identified 108 Systems & Subsystems for the industry to design, develop and manufacture.
– Digital Transformation –For the first time, several organisations of Ministry of Defence went digital. Directorate General Quality Assurance (DGQA) started online Pre-Delivery Inspection in May 2020 to address security threats, while Armed Forces Tribunal began digital hearing for the first time in August 2020. Defence Estates, Canteen Stores Department, services in Cantonment, MoD Pension and National Cadet Corps (NCC) also went online providing faster and transparent services.
– Stree Shakti in Armed Forces-In 2020, Ministry of Defence took a historic decisions to increase participation of women in the Armed Forces. Ten streams of Indian Army were opened for giving Permanent Commission to Short Service Commission (SSC) Women officers, while women pilots of Indian Navy were operationalised for the first time. All Sainik Schools were thrown open for girl students from academic session 2020-21.
– Reforms in NCC –Expanding the reach of NCC to remote locations was a major announcement made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day on August 15, 2020. More than 1,075 schools/colleges in border and coastal areas were identified and the enrolment began in November 2020. In another decision, it was decided to give preference to NCC cadets in employment in Central Armed Police Forces from May 2020. Youth Exchange Programme Allowance for NCC cadets was increased from Rs 100 per day to Rs 750 and the number of countries was increased from 10 to 15.
Compiled by-Vinayak Ambekar
( Source- https://www.mod.gov.in/news )
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