INTRODUCTION OF MONTHLY PAY SYSTEM IN 11 GRRC, LUCKNOW ON 31 AUGUST 2009

Hon’ble CGDA along with Lt. Gen. G.M.Nair. AVSM, YSM ,Col.11GRRC,GOC HQrs 9 Corps presided the function at Auditorium at office of PCDA(CC) Lucknow on 31st August 2009 for the launch of pilot phase of Monthly Pay System for PBORs of 11GRRC. C.O.S Lt.Gen. Gautam Banerjee , AVSM,YSM , PCDA (CC) Shri. V V Rao, IDAS, Brig. Sohal and Brig.H.G.V Singh, S.M,V.S.M dignitaries were also present to grace the occasion.

The Pilot Phase was implemented on 31/08/2009 for 11GRRC with 6000 nos. (apprx.) strength of PBORs. The Auditorium was fully packed with Army Jawans (500 Nos) and the Officers & Staff (250 Nos.) of Defence Accounts Department. A small presentation given by Jt.CDA Shri. Harihar Mishra, implementing officer about the Monthly Pay System to be adopted by the Pay Accounts Office .
In the existing system, accounts of PBORs are being closed on quarterly basis and payments due to them are being paid through the public fund accounts of their units and not directly into their personal savings bank accounts. Now in the new system introduced from 31/08/2009, salary accounts will be closed on monthly basis and dues will be credited directly into the savings bank accounts of PBORs’. This would provide much greater convenience to PBORs’ apart from simplification in payment and accounting system of the Government. Apart from salary, all other payments due to PBORs’ on account of Provident Fund and other advances shall be credited directly and electronically into such savings bank a/cs of PBORs’.
CGDA in her address told that this is a long awaited dream project of DAD which has come true today. She also told that this system will be implemented in all PAOs throughout the country by June 2010. CGDA & Colonel of the Regiment launched the system by transferring the amount into the Bank accounts of PBORs through online System of SBI followed by the distribution of Monthly Pay Slips to the selected Jawans of the 11 GRRC by all dignitaries. The Colonel of the Regt. Also praised the DAD for their efforts in implementing the MPS professionally.

TRAINING FOR E-TICKETING SYSTEM

A training programme on the e-ticketing system was organized for 78 functionaries of 21 units of three services from 03rd to 06th November, 2009 at the CENTRAD of Office of CGDA. The trainees included 21 officers and 37 PBORs. The theoretical portion of the training session covered classroom lectures on features of IRCTC -website, DAD portal and its links with IRCTC, security features in the system, booking of tickets for various types of Defence Travel, both official and personal, cancellation and management control system for the defence units.

More than 50 % of the time was spent in providing hands on practical training for booking and cancellation of tickets under various travel rules for Defence Services. The trainees performed 136 booking /cancellation transactions to acquire expertise in the system. All the participants were very enthusiastic for early introduction of pilot project and its subsequent extension to entire country. The bugs and deficiencies reported in the e-travel system are being corrected and 3 Service HQrs have been assured about the excellence of the project before its launch. The three (3) Service HQrs have agreed for the launch of the pilot project anytime in last week of November 2009.

The training programme was inaugurated by Mrs. Neeta Kapoor, Addl. CGDA. Speaking on the occasion she assured the Service HQrs that with the availability of a virtual PRS in each unit of Army , Navy and Air Force, booking and cancellation of rail tickets and subsequent train journey on a confirmed ticket would become extremely convenient for 15 lakh uniformed Defence travellers and their families. She thanked the DGOL, Lt. Gen A C Soneja, AVSM, VSM ** and Service HQrs for extending their full co-operation during development of the e-ticketing system and its ensuing launch.

The DGOL who was the Chief Guest on this occasion advised all the participants to devote full attention and energy to master both micro and macro level issues so as to successfully implement the pilot project and also to point out areas of deficiencies in the system, if any. DGOL assured that three Service HQrs would extend their maximum co-operation for the success of pilot project and its subsequent extension through out the country in a short time frame.

While closing the course on 06th November in the valediction session chaired by Shri A K Saxena, Jt. CGDA(Trg), each service officer was requested to give their individual feedback and about 10 PBORs from three Services were also requested to give their feedback. The bugs and deficiencies reported would be rectified within a week’s time and the pilot project should be launched by the last week of November 2009. As requested by Service HQrs, CENTRAD in consultation with project officers of e-ticketing system shall design distance- learning and e-learning packages for covering all units of the three Defence Services in a very tight compressed time frame.

INAUGURATION OF CGDA ‘s CORPORATE OFFICE

The building of the CGDA was dedicated to the Defence Accounts Department on 07th October, 2009 by the Hon’ble RM Shri A K Antony. The occasion was graced by Shri Vinod Rai, C&AG, Sh M M Pallam Raju, Hon'ble RRM, Shri Pradeep Kumar, Defence Secretary, Smt Indu Liberhan, Secretary ( Defence Finance) , Dr. V K Saraswat, SA to RM, other senior officers from service HQrs & MoD, senior serving and retired IDAS officers and other distinguished guests .

The CGDA Smt Bulbul Ghosh while extending a very warm welcome to the Hon’ble RM and other distinguished guests stated that despite his numerous engagements the Hon’ble RM always spares time to participate in the functions of the Department. She said that two years ago on 25th June 2007 we were privileged to have the Hon’ble RM with us to lay the foundation stone of this complex and today again it is a great honour to have him with us to inaugurate our HQrs building. She said that the management control of this land area was given to us in 2007 by the Ministry of Defence and DRDO was selected as the construction agency. She was happy that the department has been able to work within the given time frame without time and cost overrun.She stated that this is a historic moment for the Department and that the Department has grown by leaps and bounds to an extent that it is barely recognizable from what it was thirty-seven years ago when she joined the service. However, despite the department’s growth and its growing relevance, the department always felt the lack of appropriate accommodation for its HQrs. Today, this need has been fulfilled and it is a great honour for the Department.The HQrs office of DAD is at the apex of a vast organization with about 79 field offices and functions through nearly 1000 sub-offices spread all over the country. The HQrs office in its present location at R K Puram, New Delhi has been facing several problems. There has been a severe shortage of space and lack of basic amenities for staff and officers. HQrs office has remained scattered over three different locations, and it was a logistical nightmare.

Mentioning the features of the new complex she said that it has full power back up, state of the art communication devices over LAN and WAN including video conferencing facility, rainwater harvesting and reuse of water through sewage treatment plant, easy access for the physically challenged , fire detection and fire fighting systems confirming to BIS, double glazing for heat insulation and acoustic proofing and access control system to secure the building against unauthorized entry. She placed on record the Department’s deep appreciation for all those who have been involved in the project at every stage right form conception through design to execution.

Smt Indu Liberhan, Secretary (Defence Finance) thanked all the people associated with the project especially the Hon’ble RM under whose munificence the Defence land was allotted and sanction for expenditure accorded for construction of the building. She hoped that the Department would accomplish many more achievements from the new building.

The RRM, Shri Pallam Raju in his speech stated that the Defence Accounts Department works as custodian of our Defence finances. He also appreciated the steps taken by the department to provide greater customer satisfaction. He mentioned the success story of the project for monthly closing of pay accounts for Personnel Below Officer rank and wished DAD greater success in all such ventures.He mentioned that provision of DAD HQrs own building is another step in providing a healthy and conducive working environment to officers and staff and that it is doubly gratifying that the building is magnificient and boasts so many eco-friendly features and advanced facilities. It would motivate DAD to work vigorously to achieve its organizational goals.

The C&AG felt privileged to be present on the occasion on account of his long association with the Department. He felt that the building could rival any of the other office complexes that have recently come up in the public domain. He said that the work of internal audit and statutory audit are complementary and that he has always endeavoured to ensure that both work together in the greatest harmony. He assured that the Indian Audit and Accounts Department will continue to look forward to strengthening ties with the Defence Accounts Department and would make glorious achievements in streamlining defence spending and also enhance the cause of accountability and transparency in defence expenditure.


The Hon’ble RM while congratulating the Department for its new corporate building and recalling the time when the foundation stone for the building was laid felt very delighted to note that all the arrears of pay and allowances and pension resulting from the Sixth Pay Commission have been paid, as promised by the CGDA on 1st October, 2009 - the Annual Day of Defence Accounts Department. He was happy to note that the project has been completed on time and within the projected cost. He hoped the Department would be able to derive full benefit from the state-of-the –art facilities provided in the building and the people working here would thus derive motivation to work with renewed vigour to uphold the values enshrined in the Mission Statement and Quality Policy of the Department. He commended the DRDO and all other agencies and personnel associated with the project for doing a good job. He hoped that the building would serve as a symbol of pride for the Defence Accounts Department and would be a tribute to the Department’s professional reputation.

After dedicating the building to the Department the Hon’ble RM along with all the dignitaries visited the complex and appreciated the state-of-the-art facilities and quality of construction of the building.

DAD DAY 2009

The DAD Day celebrations at the office of the CGDA were held at CENTRAD, Delhi Cantt on 01/10/2009 and were graced by the presence of the Hon’ble RM, the three Service Chiefs, Secretary (Defence Finance), Secretary (ESW), senior serving and retired officers of the department and other distinguished guests.
The CGDA, Smt Bulbul Ghosh, felt honoured by the presence of the Hon’ble RM as it reflected his recognition of the Department’s work and commitment. She thanked the senior retired officers for their vast dedicated service because of which the Department stands on strong footing today.
She spoke on the tremendous growth of the department both in terms of quality of workforce as well as infrastructure, in consonance with massive increase in the defence budget. Defence Budget of the country constitutes almost 26% of Non-plan expenditure of Govt of India. For effective financial management of resources, considerable delegation of powers has been done in last 10, 15 years and to provide financial advice cover to large number of CFA,s, Integrated Financial Advisors have been provided in various parts of country. These changes have led to major re-organisation of the department and further reforms would continue.
She informed that the department, of late, has focused on four key areas, namely:
· Functioning of IFAs
· Pensions
· IT Projects
· Vision Document

She was happy to note that the IFAs have not only ensured the speedy clearance of cases but have also utilized the delegated budget effectively. She felt happy to note that the success of the IFA system can be gauged from the fact that she has being getting several requests from the services for additional IFAs. In the same vein, she requested the services to treat the IFAs as one of their own officers.
Defence Pensions, she said, continues to be the high priority area for the Department. To maximize the satisfaction of the defence pensioners regular pension adalats are being organized in different areas of the country. The arrears and revised pension for the 6th Pay Commission will be paid expeditiously to all the defence pensioners.
Emphasizing the Department’s persistence in streamlining its functioning by introducing systemic innovations to maximize customer satisfaction she mentioned two recent path-breaking initiatives taken by the Department. First project relates to – simplification and modernization of the PBOR salary payment system which will not only ensure direct monthly credit of salary to the bank accounts of the PBORs but would also lead to prompt compilation of expenditure, simplification of accounting and elimination of suspense account. The pilot project for payment of salaries to PBORs of 11th Gorkha rifles was successfully completed in August this year. The remaining offices would be covered as soon as the records of bank accounts of each PBOR are delivered to our PAOs by Army.
The second , being evolved by the department is e-ticketing for rail journeys. This e-ticketing project would provide a virtual PRS in each unit of Army, Navy and Air Force and would thus enable availability of train tickets at unit locations on real time basis, thereby replacing the unwieldy system of issue of manual warrants and concession vouchers for obtaining railway tickets. The pilot project for e-ticketing is to become operational very soon.
She announced that for the first time ever a vision document and a roadmap has been prepared for the Department. The Hon’ble RM was also presented with a copy of these documents. The CGDA reassured the RM about the Department’s commitment towards rendering responsive, efficient, ethical and transparent service delivery.
She thanked the Hon’ble RM profusely for his generous gesture of re-christening the DAD Excellence Awards as “ Raksha Mantri Award for Excellence”. Thanking him for supporting the department in all its other endeavours, she said that the Department would continue to look upto him for sustained guidance and amidst all the celebrations would never forget to a honest self introspection and appraisal in order to take the Department to greater heights.
Speaking on the occasion Smt. Indu Liberhan, IDAS, Secretary (Defence Finance) congratulated the awardees and urged the IDAS officers to spearhead the transformation within the department. She said the department now needs to focus on its role as an all embracing financial management and not just on its role as a payment, accounting and auditing organisation.
The Raksha Mantri, then presented the three “Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence” to DAD functionaries. The three winners of this year were – the team of administration section from CGDA office ( Shri C Someswaran, ACDA, Shri Sandeep Lakhanpal,AO, Shri S K Sharma, AO,Shri Rajesh Kalia, AAO,Shri Shaleen Sharma, AAO,Shri U S Arya, AAO, Shri S P Sharma, Sr. Auditor), Shri D K Srivastava, AO – from PCDA (P), Allahabad, Team from PAO (ORs) EME, Secunderabad ( J Venkatasubramanian, AAO, Smt K Rama Devi, AO, Shri A J Noronha, AAO, Shri P Aswani Kumar, AAO ).
Congratulating the Department for constantly striving to improve the functioning of the financial management of the MoD and Services, the Raksha Mantri urged the Department to study and imbibe the international best practices of internal audit in context of enhanced delegation of financial powers. He lauded the department’s efforts in exploring new areas like audit through computers.
Reiterating the Hon’ble PM’s emphasis on service delivery mechanisms, he urged the department:
· To ensure prompt delivery of government benefits to the defence pensioners
· To exhibit high degree of responsiveness in redressing the pensioners’ grievances, and
· To install a fully functional complaint redressal apparatus

He asked the Department to be prepared for bringing in systemic reforms and implement “Outcome Budget” by establishing clear input/output linkages and adopt the Finance ministry’s directions on introducing Accrual Accounting as a tool for efficient asset management.
Congratulating the winners of the “Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence” he termed them as examples of self-driven reformers within the department who have worked that extra mile in finding a creative solution to the problems of their customers. He conveyed his best wishes to the Department for its bright future.
Shri D Lahiri, IDAS, Addl. CGDA delivered the vote of thanks.
The award ceremony was followed by a cultural performance from the staff members of the Department and their wards.

INTRODUCTION

With over 250 years of dedicated service behind us, we are one of the oldest departments under the Government of India. The Defence Accounts Department is entrusted with the payment, accounting and internal audit of the expenditure and receipts of the Armed Forces as also auxiliary services viz. Defence Ordnance Factories, DRDO Labs/Projects, Coast Guard, DGQA, DGBR, DG NCC, Defence Estates, CSD etc. The Department handled a budget of Rs. 109,000 crores for the year 2008-09 which constituted 20.82% of the Government of India’s total Non- plan outlay. This has increased by about 34% to Rs. 145,695 crores this year. Further, the Department will handle a defence pension budget of Rs. 21,790 crores, DGBR budget of Rs. 2451 crores, , DAD budget of Rs. 1002 crores and CSD annual turnover of about Rs. 6869.5 crores. Thus in this financial year, we would be handling an over-all budget of Rs. 1,82,242 crores.

With our vast network of offices and a dedicated professional task force, we strive to live upto the motto of being “In the Service of Services” and contribute to the defence of the country. We operate from around 983 offices located at 230 stations over the length and breadth of the country constantly responding to the needs of the Armed Forces and allied organizations. At present, we are in the midst of computerisation of our offices on a massive scale and once this is completed, all our offices will be networked and would be on-line.

MAJOR INITIATIVES TAKEN BY DAD IN THE YEAR (APRIL 2008 to JULY 2009)

DAD is an exclusive service-provider to three defence services and other agencies in defence system i.e. research and development; producer, inspection agencies like DRDO, OFB/Def PSUs & DGQA etc. Our role is to provide efficient and timely payment, accounting and audit services to all defence agencies. Application of business management practices to various defence organizations , introduction of automation at various levels and changes in scope and charter of activities of various organizations, leading to changes in systems and procedures in our client organisations, poses a big challenge to our organisations and we are required to evolve new systems of payment accounting and audit in line with changed organizational realities of our clients. In 2008 –09, progress achieved in various areas is discussed below.

E-Payments

Old systems of cheque payments and postal transmission of cheque and its communication (through cheque slip) is required to be replaced with systems of electronic payments and electronic communications. Banking technology is being modernized on constant basis to provide for chequeless, anytime/anywhere banking, instant transmission of value irrespective of distance . Taking advantage of latest developments in IT & Banking technologies some offices of DAD like CDA (F) and CDA (Army), Meerut have evolved arrangements with SBI for setting up of an exclusive branch within the premises of DAD offices to provide full range of banking services from our outfits to all our clients. DAD has already issued comprehensive guidelines to all controllers’ to switch over to e-payments and concomitant e-accounting of payments made by us out of GOI Accounts with RBI. Having regard to tremendous potential for improvement in our payment and accounting services, the CGDA Mrs. Bulbul Ghosh immediately after taking over had advised all Controllers’ to go in for full scale e-payment. Many controllers have switched over to e-payments and percentage of e-payments has gone to 52% in March 2009. DAD hopes to achieve full scale e-payment systems in all offices in next financial year very shortly.

Provision of latest banking infrastructure and systems in Controllers’ offices to provide for instant and chequeless payment accurately into beneficiaries accounts has made past arrangements relating to personnel payments and third party payments through S & S imprests ( supply depots of ASC) relatively obsolete. Time –lag between payment and accounting in all such systems where payments are made by Army Units and its subsequent post-audit and accounting is done by DAD, is inevitable. In the context of availability of e-payment platforms in all Controllers’ offices, it would gradually become possible to introduce monthly salary payments to Army JCOs/OR’s from CDA/PAO directly and electronically into their bank accounts. Having regard to this possibility, the CGDA has constituted a team headed by Shri Avinash Dikshit, Jt. CGDA (IT –II) and Shri Hari Har Mishra, JCDA to evolve and implement a system for monthly salary payment systems with electronic value transfer into beneficiaries accounts. Introduction of these systems would eliminate /minimize cash handling by military personnel, and enable them to focus exclusively on their core areas i.e. fighting/ defending fitness and capabilities. It would also minimize accounting and audit problems caused by unit level payment / accounting and existence of suspenses due to inevitable time-lag between payment and its post-audit and accounting would become history.

Substitution of Railway Warrants by E-Tickets

For introduction of E-tickets, in substitution of existing system of Rail Warrants for undertaking official and concessional private rail journeys by defence service personnel, the CGDA Mrs. Bulbul Ghosh had constituted a committee headed by PCDA (HRD) Dr. S K Sharma and comprising of Mr A K Saxena, CDA (IA) and Mr Anand Agarwal, JCDA as members. This committee in consultation with all stakeholders like defence services & IRCTC etc has evolved a new system for issue of e-tickets in substitution of rail warrants gradually through out the country. Army. Navy and Air Force have agreed for implementation of a pilot project through DAD as implementing agency at 20 stations before its extension to entire country. Our proposal for implementing a project for implementation of e-tickeing system through IRCTC- PCDA (Travel) portal on pilot basis at 19 stations covering Army, Navy, Air Force on experimental basis has been sanctioned by MoD with approval of Hon’ble RM. A project team has started working on this project and the pilot project is expected to become operational in Oct/Nov. 2009. After this the e-ticketing for all rail travel will be extended to entire country in another 6 months or so. This is a major initiative of the department to provide maximum possible convenience to defence service personnel, coupled with tremendous cost – cutting in the matter of operation of rail travel system for defence services. Later on the PCDA (travel) portal of the department will be extended to cover Air Travel of defence services personnel, as approved by MoD. With the introduction of e-ticketing systems both for rail and Air, concept of TA claims/ advances and all irritants associated with it would become irrelevant and it would be a perhaps first of its kind arrangement in government systems (both central and state government) of the country. Apart from providing great administrative and operational convenience to defence service personnel, it would result in direct and indirect economy of more than Rs 50 crores apart from substantive improvement in accounting and audit services provided by us.

Pilot Projects being implemented by DAD to operationalize concepts of E-Rail Ticket & monthly payment system for PBORs.

A presentation was made by HQrs’ officers to a delegation of senior Army officers headed by Vice-Chief of Army Staff and including Adjutant General and DGOL, among others on two major initiatives taken by us i.e. substitution of railway warrants by e-tickets and introduction of monthly salary payment system directly into the savings bank accounts of JCO/OR’s falling under one PAO i.e. 11 GRRC, Lucknow. These pilot projects shall be implemented within 3 months and thereafter gradually extended to defence services in entire country. AHQ agreed to extend fullest help and co-operation to these projects which will revolutionise the functioning of AHQ and DAD in these areas and enable DAD to render highest possible quality of service to defence services with state of art technology.

Performance Audit/VFM studies on AOC, EME & ASC

We have been talking about re-orientation of internal audit systems for quiet some time and some work has been done in this regard. CGDA Mrs. Bulbul Ghosh, having practical vision for modernizing our audit systems to enable us to act more as management consultants rather than as traditional fault finders ordered a major performance audit and VFM (Value For Money) audit studies on EME, AOC and fuel management systems of ASC. Two studies on EME & AOC were carried out by Shri A K Saxena, CDA (IA), New Delhi under over all guidance of the CGDA and the same were referred to VCOAS, AHQ for consideration and implementation after approval of CGDA. These study reports have also been referred to all Controllers’ for their perusal and comments. Major recommendations made in AOC study are about cutting down length of supply chain followed by AOC by eliminating 2 to 3 echelons; reducing MSP (maximum stock potential) of COD’s and increasing MSP’s of user units, DOU’s; decreasing frequency of indenting from user units/ DOU’s; increasing size of transportation consignment; optimal use of transport means with greater reliance on rail as compared to CHT; automation preceded by business process re-engineering etc. On implementation of these measures, time for supply of stores from producers/suppliers to final users through AOC would come down from 1 year to few weeks only and thereby increasing availability of stores to users, leading to full value for money spent. Apart from increasing operational preparedness of Army, economy worth thousands of crores can be achieved with cutting down of multiple stocking and transportation of stores. With this, evolution of simplified and yet effective audit systems, would enable DAD to provide highest level of assurance to defence system about proper and effective use of funds, & stores acquired. Study on efficacy and economy in functioning of EME has brought out that despite overstaffing and idling of manpower in base workshops, huge arrears in overhaul of major weapon systems are in existence. Internal benchmarks used by EME for man and material consumption for overhaul assignments were found to be higher than competitive benchmarks prevailing in local and other markets. EME’s dependence on AOC for spares and repairables is identified as the biggest constraint and recommendations made for de-linking of AOC with EME at supply/stocking stage to increase spares availability. Study has recommended consultation with uses in target fixation, constitution of integrated project teams for guidance of EME in techno-commercial matters relating to acquisition, maintenance and operations of all major weapon systems, re-assessment of production capacity of ABW’s with reference to composite criteria, review of repair and overhead norms in light of similar norms prevailing in local and international markets, offloading of repair/ overhaul of B- vehicles to OEM vendors. Recommendations relating to downward revision in manpower norms for repair and overheads, civilianisation of combat component in ABW’s and offloading of low-tech repair assignments to OEM vendors would result in generation of huge fixed (land, buildings, and equipments) and human capital worth thousand of crores of rupees, for alternative utilization elsewhere for enhancing operational preparedness of services.

INTRODUCTION OF COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTING IN ORDNANCE FACTORIES

Considering the changes in economic environment, it has become necessary for Ordnance Factories to work competitively. For utilization of installed capacity, Ordnance Factories need to obtain orders from civil and export market and to be competitive in the civil as well as export market, they need to improve their performance by reducing cost. To achieve the objective of cost control and cost minimization ordnance factories should know the overall cost and its various elements and for this ordnance Factories are required to follow accepted costing and accounting standards. On the initiative taken by HQ office, Commercial Accounting in Ordnance factories has been introduced and this is expected to improve fiscal discipline, cost awareness at factory level, and it would facilitate detailed cost analysis.

RE- ORIENTATION OF INTERNAL AUDIT IN ORDNANCE FACTORIES

In the current competitive environment, when the ordnance factories are facing competition from domestic and foreign players, Internal Audit has to play a major role for highlighting the areas where the cost and financial saving could be effected. Moreover audit has to be transparent and effective and focus on risk-areas' control and governance functions. Thus a need was felt to move away from the organizational structure based on geographical considerations and to an internal – audit structure based on economic fundamentals.

Ordnance factories are now classified into five groups based on certain objective functions, viz. Metallurgical and Component (M&C) Division, Weapons, Vehicles & Engineering (W, V & E ) Division, Ammunition & Explosives (A&E) Division, Armoured Vehicles (AV) Division and Ordnance Equipment (OE) Division. The compulsions of each group are at variance with the other group. The budget requirement, nature of investment, nature of operations carried out, nature of procurement and issues to various indentors are different for various groups.
On the initiatives taken by HQ office, Internal Audit cells have been organized based on operating groups to enable execution of internal audit in a co-ordinated manner within the group and to enable factory internal audit focus on important risk, control and governance issues to generate cost and financial savings.

Independence of Inrernal Audit from IFAs
Based on initiatives taken by our department, the C&AG issued a policy directive to MoD for organizing separation of internal audit from IFA’s role at factory and board (OFB) level and for replicating these arrangements in all areas of defence sector of country. On the side of defence production, chief internal auditor will now act independently of Member (Fin) OFB and will report to CGDA to ensure effectiveness of internal audit. Separation of internal audit from financial advise/payment role has certain implications for organisation’s existing structure and functioning in area of Army. Navy and Air Force etc. To examine these implications and to suggest appropriate measures in this regard, an internal committee of officers in HQ office has been constituted. Re-organisation of internal audit structure is likely to result in re-orientation of audit with change in perspective from micro to macro and from transaction audit to systems audit.

Website of CDA (Funds)
The website of CDA (Funds) Meerut was inaugurated by the CGDA on 14th July, 2009. Its address is : http://cdafunds.nic.in/. It will soon be converted into an interactive website. It will improve our quality of service to defence civilian GPF subscribers tremendously.

TALKS GIVEN BY EMINENT PERSONALITIES

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Janak Raj Bhardwaj, & Ex- DGAFMS and currently member, National Disaster Management Authority - a position equivalent to Minister of State – was invited to Training Division, Brar Square, Delhi Cantt on 17th July, 2009 to speak on preventive and curative measures against H1N1 virus – the cause of pandemic swine flu.
While delivering the talk on “ Influenza A (H1N1) “ the eminent guest speaker elaborated on the measures taken by NDMA to prevent the spread of the pandemic in the country. A list of Do’s and don’t’s was also circulated. The eminent speaker urged the department to spread awareness of the preventive measures within the department to check the spread of the disease and save precious human lives and valuable manhours. CGDA assured the speaker that the Department would do its best to protect its human resources from the threat of swine flu.

TALK BY DR ANIL CHATURVEDI

Today’s sedentary and fast paced living conditions have seen a steep surge in lifestyle diseases like cardiac ailments, diabetes and high blood pressure. To spread awareness about these diseases amongst the DAD personnel and to initiate a healthy life style amongst them a lecture on “Preventive Health Care” by Dr Anil Chaturvedi, M D, F I C P, currently working as senior consultant for Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiology at Escorts Heart Institute
and Research Centre New Delhi.,was organized in the auditorium of the Training Division, Brar Square, Delhi Cantt on 11th December, 2008. Underlining the importance of preventive healthcare the doctor talked about the close relationship between a healthy population and a robust and thriving economy. He explained on how sickness is very expensive not only in terms of direct costs but also because of loss of productivity. Therefore, preventing diseases and promoting health is essential for high rate of economic growth and overall prosperity.

The medical expert outlined the habits that make an individual prone to coronary diseases and therefore advised the audience to avoid these habits like eating irregularly, being overweight / chain smoker/ hard drinker, overworking at odd hours, loosing temper and being tense etc.

During his lecture the doctor revealed the chilling statistics about the extent of heart disease in India viz. almost 7Crore Indians suffer from heart diseases and 50 lakh die because of it annually, that 28 % people who die of heart diseases are less than 65 years old and 50 % people never display any symptoms.

The lecture concluded with an advice to everybody to make a serious effort to initiate life-style changes from an early age, exercise and indulge in physical fitness activities, avoid smoking and adopt a diet conducive to sensible lipid levels to stay away from coronary diseases.

Dr C RANGARAJAN,CHAIRMAN, ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE PM

Dr C Rangarajan, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister was the speaker for the month of June, 2008 and he spoke on the topic of “The Indian Economy and the Challenges Ahead”.

The CGDA, Smt Bulbul Ghosh introduced the distinguished guest to the audience duly highlighting his accomplishments as an economist of immense repute both academic and professional.

Dr Rangarajan began his address by lauding the critical role being played by the Defence Accounts Department in maintaining the fiscal discipline in defence expenditure. Reviewing the overall economic scenario in the country, he said the various economic surveys threw up some interesting facts, like –
· A strong economy indicated by an average growth rate of 8.9%
· A good external situation reflected by good forex reserves
· A good investment climate
· Increased life expectancy – a good social indicator

While lamenting the fact that India ranked a lowly 108 in the Human Development Index, he was still optimistic that a sustained 8% annual economic growth rate, if maintained could contribute to four- fold increase in the economy in a couple of decades, besides expanding employment prospects and improving productivity, and reducing economic disparity across regions.

One of the main challenges facing the Indian economy to ensure rapid growth concurrently with reduction in equalities. Challenge lies in converting a crisis into an opportunity like the Government did in 1991, - an event which continues to be a landmark in our economic history.

The New Economic Policy is not whether the Government, will intervene, but is all about the nature and quality of intervention – and the major thrust would have to be towards improving productivity and efficiency in the system by injecting competition through giving greater space for private sector operators as well.

Earlier the role of the Government was seen to be a :
(a) Producer/provider of marketable goods/services;
(b) Regulator;
(c) Provider of public goods – parks etc. ( where of course Government’s role still hasn’t diminished ).

In three ways the New economic Policy makes a break with the past.

Firstly, it did away with controls/industrial licences altogether, modified foreign trade policy to increase competitiveness in industrial/service sectors;

Secondly, effected a paradigm shift in the role of the state – from a regulator to a facilitator;

Thirdly Indian economy integrated with the rest of the world.

All these steps ensured that the economy continues on a higher growth trajectory.

While lauding the positives of the economy, he listed six concerns or six challenges to the growth of the Indian economy which if not tackled adequately could instead of aiding growth, could actually impede its growth.

The six challenges briefly are:
1st Challenge: To step up the growth of agriculture and agricultural productivity . More than 60% population living on agriculture contributing to less than 20% of national income. Output, therefore, not commensurate with the composition of the population. To improve upon low productivity improved agricultural practices and technological breakthroughs are required – like – dry-land farming techniques etc. Balanced regional development, improved marketing facilities, broad-based growth are other deficient areas where we should be looking at.

2nd Challenge: Infrastructural development (Physical) – especially power- putting appropriate legal and administrative structure in place, encouraging private-public sector participation etc.

3rd Challenge: Fiscal consolidation – Reduction of fiscal deficit extremely important in the long run – could be met by borrowing. However, elimination of revenue deficit by 2008-09 does not seem to be feasible at the moment.

4th challenge: Social infrastructure – It’s importance need hardly be stressed – this being a function of total expenditure and the efficiency with which the expenditure is incurred.

5th challenge: Managing Globalization – It is a brave new world now without barriers, skies being open, borders porous and there is free flow of capital and services. We ought to ensure that we wrest advantages and benefit from globalization and develop areas where we have advantages like in the fields of IT & Bio-tech where we are leaders in the global economy.

6th challenge : Finally, the good governance. Maximisation of the welfare of its people depends on the manner in which the Government implements its policies.

Administration should be:
· clean (corruption free)
· transparent (Rules of governance are adhered to )
· accountability (holding people responsible for action or inaction)

What separates success from failure of a government is “GOOD GOVERNANCE”.

After listing the challenges to the economic growth of India, he posed a question as to whether we could sustain the growth rate. Affirming that we can, he said technology is the major driving force throughout the world. Therefore, strengthening technology and scientific base is the way forward. Investing in more R&D, promoting inventions, encouraging innovation, promoting collaboration between scientists and entrepreneurs, would be the way forward.

The talk was extremely scholarly in its analysis of economic events and facts and was wonderfully interlaced with interesting anecdotes of relevance.

The question-answer session followed the great speaker’s superb and brilliant exposition which was very lively and spontaneous answers given by him only served to highlight the superb command he had over his subject.

TALK BY PROF D P AGRAWAL,CHAIRMAN, UPSC

As a part of the monthly lecture series , Prof D P Agrawal, Chairman, UPSC was the guest speaker for the month of, November, 2008. He spoke on the topic “ Challenges of Recruiting and Retention of Manpower for Public Services”.

Introducing the distinguished guest to the audience the CGDA delved on the relevance of the topic of the day in the light of current shortage of Group “A” officers in DAD. Pointing to the deficit she mentioned that against the authorized strength of 426 direct recruits only 273 officers were posted at present. This shortage operated at two levels: first, the demands placed to DoPT in 2003 – 07 for allotment of full quota were not fulfilled and secondly, the probationers left the services mid-way.

“Change “ both at the macro and the micro level was the keyword of the Chairman ‘s address as he underlined how managing manpower had become very crucial in the wake of significant changes taking place over the world from which India has not emerged unaffected. However, we need to introspect as to whether we have kept up with this global pace of change for only then would we be able to devise possible strategies to overcome new difficulties.

Delineating the difference between a constitutional organization like Union Public Service Commission, which has the onus of recruiting manpower for senior level, and HR he pointed that HR not only managed recruitment, but also looked into other aspects as retention, motivation and making life comfortable for its employees. He found the UPSC recruitment system to be somewhat strange as it had very little interaction with the selected candidate and had no mechanism to assess their aspiration fulfillment or find out the difficulties encountered

He also drew the audience ‘s attention towards lack of banking on knowledge. He pointed out that once these officers left – either by superannuation or attrition - no system prevailed whereby the knowledge and skills that these officers have acquired during their career span could be banked.

Posing a question to the audience he proceeded to define the public services. as a service that was to be undertaken by the government with the objective of no profit. He however lamented that the participation of the public at large is non –existent in such services and emphasized that undertaking a public service is more difficult ,for at no point of time is the public who is the client in this regard ,is the partner in this project. Elaborating his point further he said that when one enters into a service contract with the provider one is fully aware of the end result, but providing public service seems to be more complex as the expectation seems to be like a long wish list.

Reiterating the “change” tenor of his talk, he pointed to the inevitability of the rise in aspirations and expectations with the rise in literacy and information levels. But due to unavailability of standard models of growth the public service provider is still at large about the quality of life that he is expected to provide. However, this expectation of improvement in the quality of life is not coupled with a pervading sense of discipline in developing economies. So as public service providers one needs to make efforts to define and bring out this connect between kind of service and quality of life relationship. This relationship, he felt, would reflect on the performance of the public service provider and is vital to identifying the processes and delivery mechanism. This he underlined was the first element that needs to be appreciated with the growth of economy.

The second element is the assimilation of multi-cultural identities and varied age-groups in the work-force. In a private sector there is complete freedom of movement and hierarchical structures are not very rigid, teams are also built and demolished as per needs. Nonetheless, the public services still need to get into this groove for here, hierarchy is more of a fear than a deliberate attempt to perform .As the winds of change sweep working processes, they need to understand that they cannot hope to keep working in the same situation with the same kind of people and the grey area of hierarchies need to be re-addressed. Requesting the audience to appreciate this change, he fore-apprised them of the possibilities of their future colleagues being different as they would have the potential to convert information base into knowledge base. The change he felt was already happening as services get off-loaded.

For India to become a world leader we need to create conditions where people have freedom to innovate, operate, be flexible, take risks and share information. In the context of sharing information, he delved upon ACR writing and felt confidentiality is against the spirit of RTI and we shouldn’t be trying to evaluate employees in public services without assigning them particular targets. He felt lots of CAT and court cases were a fall out of this confidentiality and hoped that information should not only flow, it should flow honestly. A leader, he felt, must identify resource people and appreciate and respect them.

He felt that for growth of any organization attrition is a must, it is an advantage, but lamented that unfortunately it is lacking in the public sector.

He concluded his speech my making a very pertinent point that organisations are not valued because of their liquidity but because of their resources. Organisations can grow only when they continue to do knowledge mapping. The talk was followed by a question and answer session.

DAD DAY

The DAD Day was celebrated wi

th great fervour in the HQrs office as well as all offices across India on 1st October, 2008.

At the office of the CGDA the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri A K Antony was the Chief Guest of honour at a function held at Training Division of the CGDA., Brar Square, Delhi Cantt. The other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Shri M M Pallam Raju , Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri Vinod Rai, C&AG, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chairman Chief of Staff Committee and Chief of Naval staff, and General Deepak Kapoor, Chief of Army Staff. A panel exhibition was also organized in the lounge of the Training Division in which all the Jt. CGDAs apprised the Honorable RRM about their areas of work. These guests of honour were welcomed by mementoes of the DAD. Speaking on the occasion Smt Bulbul Ghosh, IDAS, CGDA thanked the Honorable Raksha Mantri for his encouragement and support and assured the dignitaries present that the Department would never dither in its quest for rendering quality services. In light of the enhanced role of the Department in areas of budget management and financial advice, she also requested the Raksha Mantriji to consider re-christening the Department as Defence Finance Department. She outlined the key areas of focus of the department namely IFAs, conduct of performance studies, pensions and computerization. She spoke about the comprehensive study of functioning of Army Ordnance Corps and inventory control carried out by CGDA office and its reference to AHQ for consideration and implementation in this regard.

Smt H K Pannu, IDAS, the then FA (DS) felt honoured and privileged to have the entire galaxy of highest level decision makers on the occasion. She was happy to note that the department has developed a new transformation strategy to keep abreast of the changes in the external and internal environment and discharge the new and more complex role arising from the changes. She, however, warned that the efficient discharge of the new role by the department would depend on re-orientation of its human resources and hailed the department for initiating “Motivation Scheme” to recognize the exemplary performances of its officials.

The RRM in his address felt happy to note the department’s efforts in automating its work processes in the form of Mission Excel IT. He said he was looking forward to the contributions of DAD officials in the deliberations of the Defence Information Technology Consultative Committee as per the decisions of the Controllers’ Conference 2008. He mentioned that benchmarking the department’s services to international standard was no longer an option but an administrative imperative.

The C&AG was happy to note that the department has pioneered its steps in the right direction to revamp its internal audit procedures in tune with the advise of Finance Ministry so as to move beyond the myopic confines of compliance/regulatory audit and to focus on effectiveness of internal controls, identification and monitoring of risk factors, and ensure value for money.

The Raksha Mantri in his address reposed his faith in the Department’s capabilities and commitment. While congratulating the Defence Accounts Department on the solemn occasion, he reminded the audience of the DAD’s growing importance with the increase in defence outlay. He said that ensuring optimal utilization of the aggregate resources for revenue and capital spending for defence, generating useful MIS reports and rendition of correct financial advice were the Department’s key operational areas. He hoped that the Defence Accounts Department in consonance with recommendations of Sixth Pay Commission would pay the revised pay, pensions and arrears correctly and promptly to all concerned He congratulated the DAD excellence award winners to have gone that extra mile in finding a creative solution to the problems of their customers. He asked the Department to be prepared to bring in systemic reforms and implement “Outcome budget” by way of establishing clear input/output linkages and Ministry of Finance’s directions on introducing Accrual Accounting as a tool for efficient asset management. The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri presented the DAD Excellence Awards on this occasion. The award presentation was followed by a scintillating cultural performance.

INAUGURATION OF KNOWLEDGE CENTRE AND E–LEARNING BAY, HYDERABAD

A “Knowledge Centre, e-learning bay and a multi-purpose hall” were inaugurated by Smt Bulbul Ghosh, IDAS, CGDA in the office of CDA (R&D), Hyderabad on 12th November, 2008. The knowledge center has various books on different subjects like departmental codes and manuals, legal matters, children’s literature etc. it has been created exclusively for the benefit of the employees of the office. An e-learning bay with five dedicated PCs has been provided for enriching the e-knowledge of the employees.

A multi-purpose hall with sophisticated training equipment and sound system for the purpose of un-interrupted training activities and for conducting DARC functions was also inaugurated.

FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY, SECUNDERABAD

The foundation stone for new office buildings for RAO (MES), LAO (A) and LAO (B) was laid by Smt Bulbul Ghosh, IDAS CGDA at Secunderabad. On 11th November, 2008 in the premises of PAO (ORS), AOC, Secunderabad. Shri M Anjaneyulu, IDAS, CDA Secunderabad welcomed the gathering. Other than the Defence Accounts Department, the function was well attended by senior officers from Army units and formations.

DEFENCE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT COURSES (ARMY), 2008

A course on Defence Financial Management for Army Officers of Western Command was conducted by Regional Training Centre, CDA (Army), Meerut at Jammu from 14th – 18th of July, 2008. with particiaption of 32 Army Officers. The course lectures were delivered by various IFAs and senior Army officers. The course was found very useful and was highly appreciated by the participants.

Another DFMC for Army Officers of Western Command was conducted by RTC, Meerut at RTC, Meerut from 20th to 24th October, 2008. the course was inaugurated by Dr S K Sharma, IDAS, PCDA (HRD) and attended by various Army/ DAD authorities including Maj. Gen. Rameshwar Yadav, GOC, 22 Inf. Div. as Guest of Honour. A total of 32 Army officers participated in the course. The course was considered very useful.
.
A DFMC for Army officers posted at Army Headquarters was organized at Office of the CGDA, Training Division, Brar Square from 10th to 12th November, 2008. Some of the topics that were dealt during this course included “ Revenue Resource Management Process, DPP, DPM”, “Priority Procurement Plan (PPP), Budgeting and Monitoring of Committed Liabilities”, “ Tendering , PNC/TPC, Negotiation, expenditure Sanction and Post Contract Management” etc. 25 officers participated in the course.

Defence Financial Management Course, DRDO

It was a first of its kind Combined DFMC for IDAS officers and DRDO officers that was organized at the Office of the CGDA, Training Division, Brar Square from 20th to 21st November, 2008. 29 DRDO officers and 9 IDAS officers attended this course. Dr W Selvamurthy, Distinguished Scientist & CC R &D, Shri K N Rai, former Chief Executive, (CW &E), Shri G Elangovan, Outstanding Scientist & CC R&D, Shri H S Kumar, PCDA (R&D) were some of the guest speakers for the course. The course was highly appreciated by the participants and provided a very useful interactive forum for exchange of ideas and opinions among DAD & DRDO officers at various levels.

SEMINAR FOR INQUIRY/PRESENTING OFFICERS

A three day seminar for IDAS officers on the role and responsibilities of Inquiry/Presenting Officers was organized from 1st to 3rd December, 2008 at CGDA’s Training Division, Brar Square, Delhi Cantt in co-ordination with ISTM, New Delhi. The course was attended by 25 IDAS officers. The course was participative in nature ; the participants were divided into groups of 5 and each group was assigned one case study for examination.Shri Mukesh Chaturvedi, Dy. Director and Shri Naresh Bhardwaj, Assistant Director were the guest faculty from ISTM.

ALAC MEETING, BANGALORE

The XVII meeting of the Apex Level Advisory Council (ALAC) was held at RTC, Bangalore on 06th June, 2008. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Bulbul Ghosh, IDAS, CGDA and attended by Dr S K Sharma, IDAS, PCDA (HRD), Shri J Natarajan, IDAS, PCDA (Lucknow), Shri T S Kripanidhi, IDAS, Jt. CGDA (Trg-II), Shri Alok Chaturvedi, IDAS, Director, NADFM, Pune, Shri Sanjeev Kumar, IDAS, Jt. CGDA(AN),Shri Avinash Dixit, IDAS, CDA(Army), Meerut, and Shri K Satheesh Babu, IDAS, CDA(R&D), Bangalore,. Shri T S Kripanidhi, IDAS, Jt. CGDA (Trg-II) welcomed the members of the ALAC and made a brief reference to the agenda points received from PCsDA / CsDA in-charge of RTCs and the agenda points of Training Division, Office of CGDA.

The Chairperson in her opening remarks stated that training occupies an important position in any department and its momentum must always be sustained in accordance with the clients’ requirements. But despite its importance and efforts by ALAC, RTCs and CTCs we have been unable to measure the impact of training on the Department; and a system for doing so needs to be put in place.

In the meeting presentations were made by PCDA and Controllers of RTC, Lucknow ,RTC, Bangalore, NADFM & RTC, Pune, and RTC, Meerut on the activities of their respective RTCs.

Some of the important agenda points discussed during the meeting related to upward revision of annual ceiling limit in payment of honorarium to guest faculty for delivering lectures in RTCs, selection of faculty, sponsoring of AAOs/AOs/SAOs for external courses, conduct of course on RTI, redefining of training imparted to supervisory level officers, perennial shortage of faculty, upgradation of RTC libraries to reference libraries, strengthening of CTCs for in-house training, etc.The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the chair and all members.

VISIT OF CGDA TO KOLKATA

Smt Bulbul Ghosh, IDAS ,CGDA was in Kolkata from 21st to 22nd August, 2008. During her visit she called on Lt. Gen. V K Singh, AVSM, YSM,GOC-in-C, Eastern Command and discussed , inter-alia, issues related to the functioning of the IFA system. The CGDA also visited the office of the IFA (EC) and met the officers posted over there.

INSPECTION OF THE OFFICE OF PCDA, NEW DELHI

The inspection of the office of PCDA, New Delhi was conducted by a team of HQrs office from 11th August, 2008 to 25th August, 2008.

Smt. Indu Liberhan, IDAS, the then Addl. CGDA visited the office on 26th August, 2008 to carry out the review of the inspection. She was welcomed by Smt U G Antony, IDAS, PCDA, New Delhi .In her welcome address, the PCDA expressed her happiness over the good work done by the inspection team and hoped that the office will function in a better way once the shortcomings pointed out by the inspection team are set right.

This was followed by a brief presentation by Ms Rajalakshmi Devaraj, IDAS, Jt. CDA. It dealt with the unique sections of the office of the PCDA. She also informed the then Addl. CGDA about the functions and difficulties faced while discharging these duties. She mentioned that one of the functions assigned to this PCDA office is the maintenance of the fund accounts of Air Force Civilians which is somewhat incongruous, as the pay and allowances of these civilians are not dealt with in the office of the PCDA.Thereafter, a comprehensive presentation on the major issues noticed in various sections of the PCDA office during inspection was made by Shri Pushkal Upadhyay, IDAS, Dy. CGDA.

Smt Indu Liberhan, IDAS while appreciating the working of the office particularly relating to payments etc, stressed upon the need for strengthening the back end functions as well. She desired that the registers maintained in the office and demands/wanting acknowledgements may be kept updated and other deficiencies pointed out in inspection be rectified early. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms Rajalakshmi Devaraj, IDAS, JCDA.

RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX AT LEH

The foundation stone for construction of office and residential complex for Pay and Accounts Office (Ors) , Ladakh Scouts, Leh was laid at on 10th July, 2008 by Smt Bulbul Ghosh, IDAS, CGDA. The project is expected to incur a cost of Rs. 5.62 lacs. The site of the project is near new Ladakh Scouts Regimental center on Leh-Srinagar highway and is well connected with main market/city. This project is the second DAD project under progress at Leh. The occasion was graced by Lt Gen V K Ahluwalia, AVSM, YSM, VSM, GOC 14 Corps, Smt Nita Kapoor, PCDA (NC) and other dignitaries. Leh is a hard, non-family station situated at an altitude of approximately 12,000 ft above the sea-level. After the completion of these two projects the requirements of DAD for official and residential accommodation will be catered to a great extent.

On this occasion, the CGDA in addition to other issues spoke about the urgent need for automation in the DAD and exhorted the DAD officers and staff to provide better services to the Defence services/Establishments. She also thanked the Defence services for providing logistic support to DAD at Leh.

TRAINING TO THE BANK OFFICIALS AND INDIAN EMBASSY, NEPAL

A course on “Procedure for Disbursement of Pension to the Defence Pensioners” for the bank officials from the states of Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand was organized from 9th to 11th September, 2008. The same course was organized for bank officials of Bihar/Jharkhand including the officials at Indian Embassy, Nepal from 12th August, 2008 to 14th August, 2008. The venue for the courses was at Defence Pension Training Institute, (DPTI), Allahabad. This was the first time that participants from a foreign country attended training in DPTI. Six participants from various pension paying offices in Nepal participated in the course. The training course was highly appreciated by all the participants.

DEFENCE PENSION ADALATS

Set up in 1987, the Defence Pension Adalat looks into the grievances of the ex-servicemen and their families for on-the-spot or expeditious settlement. The 87th Pension Adalat was organized at Guwahati by PCDA (P), Allahabad on 23rd and 24th May, 2008 in the Rhino Hall of Narangi Military station, Guwahati. Shri M M Pallam Raju, Hon’ble Minister of State for Defence was the Chief Guest for the inaugural ceremony. The inaugural function was also graced by the guest of Honour Smt H K Pannu, IDAS, the then FA (Defence Services). The other dignitaries present on the occasion were Smt Bulbul Ghosh, IDAS, CGDA, Lt Gen K R Rao, AVSM, VSM, DG MP, Army HQrs, Shri D S Meena, IDAS, PCDA (P), Allahabad, Major Gen K G Chatterjee, VSM, DGR, Major General K S Sethi, GOC 101, Major General S P Kochhar, SM, VSM Ahqr, Shri J Lhungdim, IDAS, CDA Guwahati, Shri G D Pungle, IDAS, CDA(P), Allahabaad, Shri Sanjeev Kumar, IDAS, Jt. CGDA (AN), Shri Z V S Prasad, IDAS, OSD to RRM et al.

The Adalat started with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest. Welcoming the Chief Guest and other dignitaries and pensioners, Shri D S Meena, IDAS, PCDA (P), Allahabad gave a brief overview of the pension structure and assured that the pension related grievances of all the pensioners attending the adalat would be settled. Speaking on the occasion, the CGDA thanked the Hon’ble RRM for coming all the way to Guwahati and spending his valuable time for inaugurating the 87th Pension Adalat. She also affirmed the resolve of the DAD towards providing professional and quality services to its valued customers in the Defence Services. The then FA (DS), Smt H K Pannu highlighted certain measures for mitigating the hardship of the pensioners and urged the public sector banks to be more proactive and responsive towards the pensioners.

During his inaugural speech the Chief Guest expressed his satisfaction over the role of DAD in reaching the doorsteps of the pensioners and hoped that in the near future the Sainik Welfare Board and the Public Sector Banks will actively co-operate with the concerned agencies for resolving the problems of the Gaurav Senanis and Veer Naris. The inaugural ceremony ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr G D Pungle, CDA (Pension), Allahabad.On the conclusion of the inaugural ceremony, the Hon’ble RRM was interviewed by a cross section of the press. This was followed by a tea session where the Chief Guest interacted with the ex-servicemen and other senior officials from the service HQrs and other authorities.

The business of the Adalat was conducted through four adalat benches which comprised pension experts from PCDA (P), MoD, CGDA, Army HQrs, Air Force, Navy and BOS. A total of 461 cases were received for this Adalat out of which 157 cases were settled and the remaining 304 cases are under process of settlement.

· The 88th Defence Pension Adalat was organized at Raipur, (Chhattisgarh) on 28th and 29th July, 2008 in the Collectorate, Sabha Griha. Smt Indu Liberhan, IDAS, the then Addl. CGDA (AT) was the Chief Guest for the inaugural ceremony. She thanked the Government of Chhattisgarh for giving full support to PCDA (P), Allahabad in organizing the pension adalat in absence of any Army Formation at Raipur. A total of 270 cases were received out of which 105 cases were settled on the conclusion of the adalat. Out of the remaining 165 cases, 127 cases were settled subsequently leaving a balance of 38 cases, for expeditious settlement.
· A defence pension adalat was organized at Ferozepur (Punjab) on 18th and 19th December, 2008. It was inaugurated by Smt Indu Liberhan, IDAS, the then Addl. CGDA. A total of 346 cases were received and 150 of them were settled on the spot. The remaining 196 cases were under process for expeditious settlement.
· The 89th Defence Pension Adalat was held at Coimbatore on 27th and 28th November, 2008. On this occasion a booklet titled “Pensioners’ Guide” for benefit of defence pensioners/defence family pensioners was also released. The booklet provides all information on defence pension at one place and also has a “FAQ” section which will aid the pensioners in addressing their queries.

EX-SERVICEMEN RALLY

An ex-Servicemen rally was held at Eluru (Andhra Pradesh) by Branch Recruitment Office, Vizag on 27th June, 2008. It was inaugurated by Lt. Gen K R Rao. The grievances of 65 pensioners were heard and 59 cases were settled on the spot.

DEFENCE PENSION TRAINING INSTITUTE, ALLAHABAD

The Defence Pension Training Institute was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Defence Minister Shri A K Antony on 28th March, 2008. Smt N K Narang, IDAS, the then FA(DS), Smt H K Pannu, IDAS, the then CGDA, Shri D S Meena, the then PCDA(Pension), Allahabad, Shri Sanjeev Kumar, IDAS, Jt. CGDA(AN) and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

The DPTI is spread over an area of 9500 sq metres. It has been designed as a modern structure with a perfect blend of aesthetics and architectural focus. It has a well designed auditorium with a sitting capacity of 250 people. The academic block of DPTI is well equipped with modern teaching aids and has well experienced faculty. It provides residential facilities for short duration courses.

While the focus of training is on Defence Pension other relevant areas of management, finance and accounts and information technology are also being covered. DPTI training programmes emphasize on the development of human resources in all organizations associated with defence pension viz. banks, treasury offices, record offices, heads of offices and offices of the related establishment of the services, besides the training of officers and staff of Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension). With the commissioning of this state-of- the art learning facility, training on Defence Pension has received a great boost.

About 25 in-house training courses for officers and staff of PCDA (Pensions) have been conducted since the start of April 2008. Participants from external agencies like banks, ROOs etc have appreciated the various facilities available at DPTI. The institute has emerged as a common platform and in the years to come would usher in an era of greater collaborative efforts among establishments dealing with defence pension sanction/revision and disbursement. The endeavour would be to be more responsive to the challenging needs and expectations of ex-servicemen.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT WEEK, 2008

The theme for the Training and Development Week 2008 was “Facing challenges and achieving excellence through Human Resource Development”. This was celebrated in offices of all the PCsDA and CsDA in the first week of December. Various programmes viz. quiz contest, debate and essay competitions were organized in all the offices.

As the culminating part of the Training and Development Week the 9th Annual DAD Quiz was held at Training Division, Brar Square, Delhi Cantt on 05th December, 2008. The programme started with an invocation. Six (6) teams from CDA (BR), New Delhi, CFA (Fys) BGF, Ishapore, CFA (Fys) Kirkee, Pune, CFA (Fys) Avadi, CDA (PD), Meerut, PCDA (CC), Lucknow who had won the Regional Quiz Contests at different RTCS participated in the final round. The team from CFA (Fys.), Avadi emerged as the winner, followed by CFA (Fys. ) Ishapore. The quiz was conducted by Quiz Masters Shri Vishrut Abhinna, Jt. IFA (Army - O) and Smt. Reena Tandon, Jt. CDA (Project Sea Bird). They were assisted by Shri Neeraj Gupta & Shri Vimlendu Kumar for presenting the questions and timing the responses. It was for the first time that one round on “ Rajbhasa Hindi “ was introduced in the Annual DAD Quiz.

Speaking on the occasion the CGDA said that these quiz contests so far have remained restricted to knowledge related to our department but hoped that from now onwards, the quiz would expand to cover knowledge of our defence services too. She advised all Controllers and IFA’s to make useful contribution towards making a fairly comprehensive question bank with 1 word / 1 line answers. This she said, apart from raising the quality of quiz would raise the knowledge levels of our staff and officers too which is necessary for achieving higher efficiency and accountability.

IFA SEMINAR ON NAVY

A seminar on IFA system in Navy was organized on 19th September, 2008 at Training Division, Brar Square, New Delhi. The opening address was delivered by the CGDA Smt Bulbul Ghosh who underlined that despite human resource deficit, IFAs have been positioned at all Naval Commands and Coast Guard HQ and the gaps in positioning of IFAs in regional headquarters of Coast Guards are under examination. Urging the CFAs to associate the IFAs in all the financial decision making processes, she cautioned that these decisions should also meet the test of transparency, accountability and propriety. Her note ended on a word of advice for both advice renders and users - of keeping minds open in order to appreciate each other’s constraints and resolving issues through mutual dialogue.
The seminar was inaugurated by Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral R P Suthan, AVSM, VSM who also delivered the key note address. Appreciating the mature evolution of the IFA system so far, he hoped for its further evolvement with greater cohesiveness and synergy. Noting the rising involvement of IFAs in the monitoring process he emphasized the need for promulgation of SOPs for utilization of delegated powers. He also conveyed his appreciation to the Coast Guard for integrating into the capital acquisition cases in a remarkably short time. Urging the Command Hqrs., Dockyards and material organisations to provide the right inputs to the IFAs, he simultaneously urged the IFAs to ponder before saying no. Keeping in view our terror-inflicted times, he urged for putting procedures and systems in place which could meet terrorist attacks and natural calamities in an efficient and effective manner without delay. And foremost, he urged the participants, who were all stakeholders in the IFA process, to be practical and responsive to the prime responsibility of equipping, maintaining and training the service to deliver potent operational capability.

PCDA Navy, Mumbai made a presentation on their website which contains bill status of third party claims with cheque amount and hyperlink for the details including the payment, the status of personal claims with hyperlink to credit/debit intimation memo, Monthly expenditure return. He also informed that touch screen facilities are available at the Mumbai office where individual queries can be responded. These addresses were followed by presentations of Naval Hqrs, ANC Hqrs and Coast Guard Hqrs.

IFA SEMINAR ON ARMY

A seminar on the IFA system in the Army was held on 25th of July, 2008 at Training Division, Brar Square, Delhi Cantt. The welcome address was delivered by Smt Bulbul Ghosh, IDAS, CGDA. Emphasizing the criticality of financial advice for exercise of delegated powers, she urged the IFAs to work on the twin objectives of faster decision making and value for money. She underlined that full time IFAs should be associated with all financial decision making processes and such integration alone would enable the IFAs to better understand and appreciate the requirements and concerns of the CFAs. She hoped that the deliberations in the seminar would go a long way in resolving many of the contentious issues which are coming in the way of smooth functioning of the IFA system.

The seminar was inaugurated by Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen M L Naidu, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC. He reminded all present that our only goal should be to ensure the development of the nation. Elaborating on the security matrix , he disclosed that military aspects formed only 16% of the matrix whereas other issues like energy, demography, social index etc. formed the major part of the matrix. Focusing on military aspects of the security matrix he emphasized that since capabilities can not be achieved overnight an immediate beginning needs to be made for modernization of services in order to achieve the status of a powerful nation by 2020. Having regard to the needs of the future generation, he stressed on sustainable development with ecological balance. He urged the IFAs to meet time schedules and get accustomed to working in a “collegiate mode”. Requesting all to focus on the bigger picture – 20 years from now he suggested that automation in audit can be of immense help.

The opening presentation titled “ Fine tuning the IFA system in the Army” was made by Shri Abhijit Basu, IDAS, PCDA (SC), Pune. “ It takes two to tango” was the phrase used by the PCDA to bring home the point of collaborative approach to achieve a “win-win “ position. Requesting for a change in perception, he emphasized that IFAs need to be looked upon as financial advisors rather than procurement advisors.

Presentations were also made by representatives of the Army HQr and Command HQrs . The MGO branch pointed out that excessive processing time was taken by the IFA and the delay was caused due to multiple vetting of proposals and minutes by the IFA and insufficient knowledge regarding technical instructions of AOC and its functioning in inventory management. They advised IFA to go in for short duration courses at CMM, Jabalpur and visit of IFA and staff to various depots for better understanding of the system.

The QMG branch while highlighting the dichotomy in accountability of IFAs underlined the need for a conflict resolution mechanism and requested the IFAs to have a feel of ground realities.

The Works directorate declared that since its needs differed from others its issues were also endemic to it. They pointed that involvement of more than one IFAs delayed their cases and lamented that observations, that too piecemeal, are raised on para 11 cases when they are being processed for getting administrative approval but by then the work has almost been executed.

The presentation on behalf of DCOAS (IS&T) highlighted compatibility and inter-operatability issues, insufficient availability of OEMs for core high tech equipment and their non-response to RFPs. They recommended streamlining of procedures to address the issue of policy interpretation disparities between IFA (Army) and Command IFAs /Regional Controllers, and assessing technology issues from operational point of view rather than financial yardsticks.

The open house co-ordinated by the then Addl. CGDA (IL) and Addl. CGDA DL marked the last session of the seminar. It was assured that consideration would be given to provisioning of dedicated/earmarked IFAs at Corps HQrs and Military Hospitals, subject to availability of manpower. Lt. Gen R K Gupta, DGST thanked the CGDA and the DAD for their support and the seminar which was an opportunity for clarification of a number of issues. Smt Anuradha Prasad, IDAS, the then Jt. CGDA (IFA) proposed the vote of thanks.

FOURTH All INDIA DAD CARROM TOURNAMENT, 2008

The fourth All India DAD Carrom Tournament was organized at PCDA (NC), Jammu . The tournament was inaugurated by Smt Indu Liberhan, IDAS, the then Addl CGDA on 10th November, 2008 by releasing a white pigeon. Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu was the chief guest for the occasion who gave away the prizes to the winning individuals and teams.