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DRDO gets more financial powers for faster decision-making
New Delhi, June 27 (IANS) To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of defence research establishments, the Defence Ministry has delegated greater decision making powers in financial clearances to these institutions, an official communique announced on Wednesday.
As per the new orders, the Secretary, Defence Research and Development (R&D), can now sanction projects/procurements up to Rs 150 crore from the earlier Rs 75 crore, while the Directors General (DGs) can now sanction projects up to Rs 75 crore instead of Rs 50 crore.
For Proprietary Article Certificate (PAC) cases, the powers of Defence R&D Secretary have been enhanced from Rs 50 crore to Rs 150 crore, while that for DGs it has been enhanced from Rs 25 crore to Rs 75 crore.
For Lab Directors, the increase is from Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore.
In single tender cases, the Secretary can now clear projects up to Rs 75 crore instead of Rs 50 crore earlier; the DGs can do up to Rs 37.5 crore in place of Rs 25 crore; and the Lab Directors can take decisions on their own for financial clearances up to Rs. 2.5 crore instead of Rs 1 crore earlier.
All competent financial authorities have been empowered to reallocate funds, reduce and enhance costs of projects/ programmes within their delegated powers.
“The powers of DGs have been enhanced from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore for sanctioning research projects to universities, technological institutions and to indigenous defence industry under the Technology Development Fund Scheme of DRDO,” the Defence Ministry release said.
The powers of post-contract management and maintenance support in respect of contracts for which CFA is the Ministry of Defence, have been delegated to the Directors General of DRDO in line with the delegations already made to the armed forces, it added.
“Consequently, the powers for sanctioning of projects and for procurements that were hitherto with the Secretary, Defence R&D, have now been delegated to the DGs of DRDO and the delegation to the Secretary, Defence R&D, has been doubled,” the release said.
A number of powers relating to day-to-day functioning that were centralized at DRDO Headquarters have now been delegated to the DGs and Lab Directors. All the delegations that had been made in respect of the services have also been extended to the DRDO.
“Given the geographically dispersed clusters and laboratories, this will be greatly reduce file movements to and from the DRDO Headquarters at New Delhi and facilitate faster decision-making,” the Ministry said.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.