Centre entrusts financial powers to Deputy Chiefs, Command Chiefs of Armed Forces

NEW DELHI:

The Union Cabinet on February 17, approved the enhanced delegation of financial powers under Capital Procurement to Deputy Chiefs and Command Chiefs of Armed Forces.

The financial powers for several competent financial authorities are a part of the Government's vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ for a robust defence industrial ecosystem, stated the Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing).

As per the approval, financial powers up to Rs 100 crore has been delegated to General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) at Services Command and Regional Commanders, Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

On the other hand, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (CD & S)/ MGS (Master General Sustenance), COM (Chief of Material), AOM (Air Officer Maintenance), DCIDS (Deputy Chief Integrated Defence Staff) and ADG ICG (Additional Director General Indian Coast Guard) have been granted procurement powers up to Rs 200 crore.

"This delegation of powers within Service Headquarters and up to Command Level for items of Capital nature such as overhauls, refits, upgrades etc. will enhance the utility of existing assets, and will facilitate faster processing and implementation of projects for modernisation of Armed Forces to meet the security challenges of the nation," it stated.

"The Cabinet has also approved enhanced financial powers in the Make-I category under which Government funding up to 70% of the prototype development cost is available for Design & Development of equipment, systems, major platforms or upgrades thereof," added PIB.

Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS), Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS), and Director General Coast Guard (DG(CG)) have now been given powers to sanction Government support up to Rs 50 crore towards the cost of prototype development.

(Edited by Gabriel G Momin)