National
Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
⇒ Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, AVSM, VSM assumed charge as Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff on 01 October 2023.
- He has succeeded Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru who retired after more than 38 years of illustrious service on 30 September 2023.
About Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti:
- Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 July 1988 and is a Navigation and Direction Specialist.
- In his career spanning over 35 years, he has held a variety of Command and Staff appointments both ashore and afloat.
- On elevation to the rank of Vice Admiral in 2021, he took over as Director General Project Seabird prior taking over the present appointment as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff at NHQ MoD.
- The Flag Officer was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 by the Hon’ble President of India.
Raksha Mantri unveils several digital initiatives of DAD
⇒ Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched several digital initiatives of Defence Accounts Department (DAD) during its 276th Annual Day celebrations at Delhi Cantt. on October 01, 2023.
- The initiatives include an integrated defence finance dashboard for Ministry of Defence ‘SARANSH’ – Summary of Accounts, Budget and Expenditure for Raksha Mantralaya; BISWAS – Bill Information and Work Analysis System and e-Raksha Awaas.
Details of digital initiatives:
SARANSH (Summary of Accounts, Budget & Expenditure for Raksha Mantralaya):
SARANSH has been conceptualised and developed with the aim to reflect a more accurate and objective view of the defence financial data across India on payment, accounting, budgeting etc by leveraging data analytics on the different databases of various IT systems running in the Defence Accounts Department.
- This analytics tool integrates, compiles, sanitises & standardises financial data from multiple applications/data sources and provides a real-time comprehensive platform with the features of a dashboard: visualize trends, displaying metrics, graphs on key performance indicators, reports etc.
- ‘SARANSH’ will serve as a complete Dashboard for the higher management with at-a-glance visibility of all the defence expenditure for centralized monitoring and driving towards data-driven decisions for all defence organizations.
BISWAS:
BISWAS will serve as a Dashboard to the various PCsDA/CsDA and display different infographics for the purpose of monitoring and analysis of the whole process flow of bill management, including reports on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- It provides real-time detailed analysis of bill processing, with interactive visualisations of granular data flowing through the various office automation systems for a Controller office.
e-Raksha Awaas:
e-Raksha Awaas is a centralised and comprehensive software package developed to streamline and optimize the process of generating timely rent and allied charges for rentable buildings within the Defence Services and facilitating the prompt remission of rent and allied charges to Government Accounts.
- This package serves as a unified online platform for all stakeholders involved in the generation, recovery and remission of rent and allied charges viz. BSO, AAO (BSO), AO (GE), PAOs, PCsDA/CsDA office etc.
» On the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh also gave away the Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence 2023 to five teams for exhibiting exemplary initiatives in implementing key department projects –
- For adoption of new paradigms of training methodology
- Implementation of Computer Based Testing (CBT) systems in the conduct of SAS Examinations in Defence Accounts Department
- Implementation of SARANSH Raksha Mantralaya Dashboard
- Implementation of Dolphin 2.0, a nation-wide system for management of pay and allowances for JCOs/Other Ranks of the Indian Army, and
- For Development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for field offices of the Department.
About DAD:
» Every year, the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) celebrates 1st of October as its Annual day with great fervor and enthusiasm.
- Defence Accounts Department (DAD) celebrated its 276th Annual Day on 01 October 2023.
» Defence Accounts Department (DAD) functions under the administrative control of Ministry of Defence and is headed by Controller General of Defence Accounts.
- DAD aims at providing responsive and professional Financial, Audit and Accounting services. This encompasses timely, efficient and correct payment of Pay and allowances, Pension & gratuities to Armed Forces & Defence Civilian and other payments relating to supplies and services. It ensures proper accounting of all such expenditure from the Defence Budget.
- As the Principal Accounting and Finance entity for the Defence Services, DAD is committed to providing best value for money by being a trusted Financial Services Partner.
International
15th Joint Working Group Meeting on Trade between India and Bangladesh
⇒ The 15th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Trade (JWG) between India and Bangladesh was held on 26th and 27th September, 2023 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Shri Vipul Bansal and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Mr. Noor Md Mahbubul Haq.
Discussion:
The 15th Meeting of JWG discussed a host of bilateral issues such as-
Removal of port restrictions, ground work on commencement of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), harmonization of standards, mutual recognition of standards, supply of essential commodities to Bangladesh, development of road and rail infrastructure, regional connectivity through multi-modal transportation and creation/ strengthening of infrastructure in Land Customs Stations/ Integrated Check Posts, border haats, etc.
The bilateral meeting successfully concluded with both countries reaffirming their commitment to deeper economic engagement, regional cooperation, and sustainable development. Both sides reiterated that the future holds great promise for enhanced trade relations and mutual prosperity.
Background:
- The India-Bangladesh Joint Working Group on Trade (JWG) Meetings are held on an annual basis to discuss key trade related issues and explore opportunities for economic and technical collaboration, promotion, facilitation, expansion and diversification of trade between the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.
- These meetings play a vital role in quick resolution of bilateral issues by removing trade barriers, simplifying customs procedures, improvement of infrastructure, logistics, and transit facilities to facilitate smoother cross-border trade.
Important Day
98th Raising Day of Military Nursing Service
⇒ Military Nursing Service (MNS) celebrated its 98th Raising Day on October 1, 2023.
History:
- The origin of MNS dates back to the pre-independence colonial era when British and Indian soldiers served in the British Army.
- The British Indian government established the Indian Army Nursing Services (IANS) in the year 1888. This marked the formal beginning of Military Nursing in India.
- The officers of IANS had played a crucial role in providing medical care to wounded soldiers during World War I and ll.
- On 1st Oct 1926, the Permanent Nursing Service was raised in the Indian Army and designated as the Indian Military Nursing Service.
- Post Independence, the MNS was established as part of the AFMS. It has evolved as a renowned service known for its rich history of dedication and exemplary service in both war and peace.
- The MNS is one of the best nursing services in the world with a strong will, strength of mind, and courage.
23rd Raising Day of Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff
⇒ Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) celebrated its 23rd Raising Day on October 01, 2023.
The creation of Department of Military Affairs and institution of Chief of Defence Staff are transformative reforms that have given the much-needed impetus to Tri-Services synergy, modernisation and transformation of Defence Services and their integration in the Higher Defence Organisation of the Nation.