Fiscal powers for forces to meet urgent needs

New Delhi, July 15

In view of the prevailing situation along the northern borders, a special meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday, delegated financial powers for urgent ‘capital acquisition’ projects up to Rs 300 crore to the armed forces to meet urgent operational needs.

These include acquisition of weapons and equipment under the ‘capital head’ of the defence Budget. Till now, financial powers up to Rs 500 crore under the ‘revenue head’ were vested with the Vice-Chief of the Army.

The move will shrink procurement timelines, ensure placement of orders within six months and deliveries within a year.

‘Invalid pension’

The Defence Ministry has decided on pension for armed forces personnel with less than 10 years of service who have been rendered invalid. This includes physical and mental infirmity neither attributable to nor aggravated by service. — TNS