Pune: Defence Accounts Department Celebrates Raising Day

Pune, 5th October 2021: 1st October 2021 was celebrated as (रक्षा लेखा स्थापना) Defence Accounts Department Foundation/Raising Day on a very grand scale and with great fun, fervor, pomp, gaiety show and enthusiasm under the aegis and guidance of Dr Rajeev S. Chavan, IDAS, ndc, PCDA (O), Pune.

The Defence Accounts Department is more than 270 years old and is the oldest Department under the Government Of India. Its origin can be traced to the Military Pay Masters under the East India Company. In 1747 Articles of war empowered to British Government to appoint Military Pay Master. On 1st October 1951, Military Accounts Department was re-designated as Defence Accounts Department with CGDA as its Head Of Department.

The Defence Accounts Department with Controller General of Defence Accounts as its Head functions under the Administrative and financial control of the Financial Advisor (Defence Services). The Department is responsible for the Audit, Payment, Financial Advise and Accounting of all charges pertaining to the Indian Armed Forces under the entire Defence Budget of Rs 5 Lakh Crores per Annum. The Department deals with internal audit & payments for multiple agencies under the Ministry of Defence viz Army, Navy, Air Force, BSF, Para Military Force, OFB, DRDO, Cost Guards etc i.e. the Sentinels of the Borders and Protector of the planes.

The event was inaugurated by Dr Chavan by the traditional lighting of Lamp alongwith all other IDAS Officers and bouquet presentation to the dignitaries including Deputy CDA Lehana Singh and ACDA T Satish Kumar both being recently decorated by Lt General JS Nain, GOC-in-C with Commendation of Army Commander for their commendable and exemplary service on the eve of 15th August 2021.

For the first time in the history of PCDA (O), Pune, the celebration took place in the open ground observing all COVID protocols and social distancing. After the welcome address by T Satish Kumar, Lehana Singh addressed the audience and expressed special thanks to all the Officers and Employees for their Commendable efforts and services towards the Army Officers.

Dr Chavan in his keynote address also appreciated and motivated all the Officers and Staff members present for working so incessantly and tirelessly during COVID 19 Pandemic. He fully appreciated their commitment, dedication and devotion towards the Accounting and Financial Welfare of all the Army Officers. The PCDA(O) stressed the fact that there is blind trust of the Army officers in this flagship office and motivated them to work harder so as to meet the aspirations of the Army Officers who look up to the office for their well being.

The PCDA (O) also exhorted to make use of the latest new IT technology-driven tools and implement it to reduce the time lag for admitting claims for better satisfaction of the clients and cope up the Staff deficiency, save precious Govt expenses and avoid physical contacts to prevent COVID 19 spread.

A grand cultural function was organized wherein the highlights included the Jazz Band of BEG who entertained the Audience with melodious and snappy songs. Staff Members and children of Staff Members also participated by singing Bollywood, Bhajan songs and performing solo/group dances. All these cultural events transformed the atmosphere into happy, festive and cheerful.

On this occasion, Dr Chavan presented mementoes and awarded certificates to all the winners of Sports Competitions like badminton, Table Tennis, Chess and Carom as well as non-sports competitions like Singing, Rangoli and flower arrangement, which were organized during the week as a pre-celebration of DAD Day 2021.

PCDA (O), Pune also announced that two teams have been awarded ‘Motivation Award ‘under Raksha Mantri Motivation awards scheme at PCDA level viz. Administration Section and Transportation Wing. The Administration section was awarded for handling COVID 19 crisis by efficient response management. The Admin team was lead by DCDA Lehana Singh and consisted of Rajesh Kalia, SAO, Neeraj Nidhi, AO, Shilpi Sahai, AAO and Kailas Kumar Singh, AAO.

The Transportation Wing was awarded for the clearance of more than 30,000 LTC Special Package Claims on a war footing. The Transportation Wing Team was lead by ACDA T Satish Kumar and consisted of ACDA Julie Sawant, SAO S Ravi Kumar, AO S A Chimote, AO Vandana Wadekar, AO K Vishnumurthy, SAO Tarun Kumar Verma, AO V V Pendharkar, AO M Ramya, AO Saurav Dutta, AO Mohmmad A Alam, AAO Asha D Wadekar, AAO Chaturanand Jha.

The ceremony ended with National Anthem. A vote of thanks was given by Seena Thomas, IDAS, ACDA. The program was compared by Geetam Mishra, Auditor.