Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the 277th Annual Day celebrations of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, urged the department to establish a comprehensive data management system.
This system should provide analytical reports to the government on the impact of defence expenditure on the Indian economy, including contributions of defence vendors to revenue and employment generation.
Singh commended DAD for its focus on technology adoption, highlighting the successful implementation of the SPARSH (System for Pension Administration (Raksha)) portal.
This web-based system has successfully linked 30 lakh out of 32 lakh defence pensioners, processing pension claims and directly crediting pensions into bank accounts without intermediaries.
The Defence Minister emphasized the need for a 'Whole of the Government approach' to develop a holistic policy regime. He also called for a roadmap to transform DAD into a 'Centre of Excellence' in defence finance and economics.
Reflecting on the progress in the defence sector, Singh noted the shift from import dependency to India's emergence as a defence exporter, attributing this to the government's push for self-reliance. He urged DAD to remain innovative and contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat by 2047'.
During the event, the Defence Minister launched several DAD publications and initiatives, including the SPARSH Audit Manual, Comprehensive Statistical Handbook on Defence Expenditure (COSHE) 2024, Market Intelligence Report 2023-24, and Defence Travel System 2.0.
These initiatives aim to modernize and strengthen the country's defence ecosystem through optimal resource utilization, efficiency, transparency in accounting, and adoption of latest technologies.
The SPARSH Audit Manual guides DAD officers in ensuring the integrity and accountability of the pension system. COSHE-2024 provides a comprehensive overview of defence expenditure trends, aiding policy and decision-making. The Market Intelligence Report analyzes procurement data to enhance procurement reform. Defence Travel System 2.0 offers a seamless and integrated travel booking experience for defence personnel.
Singh also presented the Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence 2024 to two teams for outstanding achievements in implementing key department projects.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, including the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, and others.
