India Strengthens Financial Powers of Army Commanders with 4X Increase to Counter China's Border Buildup

In a move aimed at bolstering border security, the Indian government has significantly increased the special financial powers granted to Army commanders responsible for safeguarding the nation's frontiers with China.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved new annual budgets that will enable commanders to expedite the procurement of crucial equipment required for troops deployed on the ground.

The Central Command, overseeing the border with China in Uttarakhand, has witnessed a substantial four-fold increase in its financial authority. The Central Commander can now utilize up to ₹200 crore for urgent procurements, addressing the heightened Chinese military activity observed in the region in recent years.

The Eastern Command, responsible for borders in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, has had its special financial powers doubled to ₹400 crore. The Northern Command, which faces the most intense Chinese military buildup across the Ladakh border since 1962, has also received a boost, with its special financial powers enhanced from ₹400 crore to ₹500 crore – the highest among all commands.

These augmented financial powers are expected to streamline the acquisition of critical equipment and resources, allowing for swift responses to evolving security challenges on the sensitive border regions. It underscores India's commitment to maintaining a robust and agile defence posture in the face of potential threats from chinese aggression.

 

[R. Singh]

We need Heron TP+ MQ-9 UCAVs, M-777 Howitzers, GPS guided Ex-calibur Howitzer projectiles, Satellite linked Tejas fighter and Prachand Helicopters for net centric warfare, Hellfire, Stringer NLOS missiles for Helicopters around LOC and LAC and Light Tank Zorawars ! Remember we need to re capture Shaksgam valley and Akshai chin !

 

[T54]

These financial powers are peanuts . The Army airforce cdrs need delegation of financial powers to the tune of 5000 crores each with IFAS instead of Clerks and babus of Mod and rentseeking babus who sit on files for years .

 

[NSR]

Very good idea but the amount should be increased to at least Rs. 1,000 crores.
The Rs. 500 crores days are long gone due to inflation.

And it must also include LoC/IB and even Indian Navy too.
Remember every one has their own requirements to fulfill.

NO need to go through Bureaucracy for that paltry amount of budgets.

 

[Mango]

How much will these small procurements help in a prolonged war with China? These are mere stop gap arrangements. These cannot replace long term planning and acquisition.

 

[Sandeep]

While it’s good that more financial powers are given we need to make sure that we only buy indigenous military weapon and equipment. For any other purpose like building bases, roads, infrastructure then all purchases will be carefully scrutinised to ensure no corruption took place or unfair bidding competition and conditions.

 

[Kira]

Very good idea but the amount should be increased to at least Rs. 1,000 crores.
The Rs. 500 crores days are long gone due to inflation.

And it must also include LoC/IB and even Indian Navy too.
Remember every one has their own requirements to fulfill.

NO need to go through Bureaucracy for that paltry amount of budgets.

IN does not directly face the Chinese vessels,naval competition is more about political influence and cat and mouse game of chasing/shadowing each others ships and submarines. IA meanwhile faces the stark daily reality of actual physical clashes enabled by superior Chinese infrastructure and very real possibility of losing territory as happened in 2020. IN meanwhile does not face such direct threats and actually can partner with other countries to balance PLAN at sea,and enjoys the clear edge in IOR.

So,IA needs regular tactical investments via superior infrastructure and supplies at the front,while building IN is a long drawn strategic affair that will require long term investment in ship building, training and foreign partnerships.

So yeah, local IA commanders need their own budget that bypasses the long and windy defence bureaucracy.

 

[NSR]

IN does not directly face the Chinese vessels,naval competition is more about political influence and cat and mouse game of chasing/shadowing each others ships and submarines. IA meanwhile faces the stark daily reality of actual physical clashes enabled by superior Chinese infrastructure and very real possibility of losing territory as happened in 2020. IN meanwhile does not face such direct threats and actually can partner with other countries to balance PLAN at sea,and enjoys the clear edge in IOR.

So,IA needs regular tactical investments via superior infrastructure and supplies at the front,while building IN is a long drawn strategic affair that will require long term investment in ship building, training and foreign partnerships.

So yeah, local IA commanders need their own budget that bypasses the long and windy defence bureaucracy.

All segments of services have many pressing and immediate solutions to the problems they face all the time.
Having such budgetary authority free of any bureaucratic meddling is truly welcome.

 

[Kira]

All segments of services have many pressing and immediate solutions to the problems they face all the time.
Having such budgetary authority free of any bureaucratic meddling is truly welcome.

But compared to IN,those are not immediate and critical.For instance,a person who was in accident needs to have immediate access to surgery in contrast to a non urgent case.