Parliamentary panel asks DRDO to set measurable targets, tighten project monitoring

A parliamentary panel has recommended that the DRDO expeditiously finalise and notify clear measurable Key Performance Indicators KPIs covering cost efficiency technological maturity target dates completion time and operational effectivenessIn its report presented in Parliament on Friday the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence noted that the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO provides equal opportunities to women employees and has a wellestablished grievance redressal mechanism in place It recommended however that allout efforts should be made to strengthen the complaint mechanism and ensure strict adherence to the SOP on dealing with complaints under the POSH ActThe committee said it appreciates the role of the Internal Complaints Committee ICC the Sexual Harassment Electronic Box SheBox and the appointment of nodal officers in each lab for a timely redressal of complaints under the POSH Act The panel said it desires that the steps taken by the DRDO for a timely completion of projects proper utilisation of funds and prevention of cost overruns may be apprised at the time of submitting the action taken statementThe Committee reiterates its recommendation that DRDO should expeditiously finalise and notify clear measurable Key Performance Indicators KPIs covering cost efficiency technological maturity target dates completion time and operational effectiveness the report said The panel stressed that a structured transparent and periodic benchmarking framework may be instituted by the DRDO as recommended earlier and the committee may be apprised of the same at the time of the action taken statement by the defence ministryThe committee also said it has noted from the ministrys reply that various welfare measures and initiatives have been undertaken by the Department of ExServicemen Welfare for the benefit of exservicemen and their dependents including enhancement of financial assistance strengthening of legal aid establishment of Integrated Sainik Complexes and regular consultations with stakeholdersThese initiatives are indeed commendable and reflect the ministrys commitment and continued efforts towards improving the welfare ecosystem for the exservicemen community it said However the Committee observe that the ministry has not specifically responded to the Committees recommendation regarding undertaking a comprehensive study in consultation with all stakeholders to explore additional avenues for the welfare of children wards and widows of armed forces personnel the report said The panel said the ministrys reply is therefore silent on this important aspect of the recommendationThe Committee in this regard reiterate their earlier recommendation and desire that the ministry may undertake the proposed comprehensive study in consultation with the Ministry of Education state governments professional regulatory bodies and other concerned stakeholders to examine the feasibility of expanding educational opportunities including enhancement of reservation and other suitable support measures for childrenwards of armed forces personnel particularly the feasibility of enhancing reservation for childrenwards of defence personnel in professional colleges across the country the panel addedIt said it desires that the progress in this regard together with the action taken thereon and the ministrys considered views may be furnished to the committee at the earliest The panel said the migration of ExServicemen Contributory Health Scheme ECHS applications to the National Government Cloud is a welcome initiative and suggested that the ministry prepare a timebound roadmap for the completion of the migration integration of stakeholders and operationalisation of the unified platformThe report also underlined that the panel appreciates the special increase in the defence capital budget in the current year due to Operation Sindoor and acknowledges the commitment of the government to strengthen defence RampD in the coming years The committee strongly recommends that the government may progressively increase the defence research and development RampD budget over the next five years In another report the panel reiterated that sustained investment in RampD is indispensable for achieving technological selfreliance and maintaining the global competitiveness of the Indian defence industryWhile the overall increase in RampD expenditure is encouraging the Committee desire that the Department of Defence Production should closely monitor the implementation of the fiveyear RampD Roadmap and ensure that the proposed investment of Rs 33000 crore during the fiveyear roadmap results in achieving the aim of indigenisation and thereby reducing dependency on foreign imports it saidThe panel also noted that due to persistent high demand for NCC affiliation across the country the government has sanctioned an additional three lakh NCC cadet vacancies under the expansion plan and that enrolment against these vacancies has commenced and is proposed to be completed in a phased manner during the period 2025ndash2028This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever