OFFICERS OF INDIAN ORDNANCE FACTORIES SERVICE AND PROBATIONERS OF INDIAN DEFENCE ACCOUNTS SERVICE CALL ON THE PRESIDENT

Officers of Indian Ordnance Factories Service and Probationers of Indian Defence Accounts Service called on the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (November 17, 2023).

Addressing the officers, the President said that they have joined their services at a time when the country is undergoing extensive transformation at local as well as global level. With emergence of new technologies and with latest techniques and information spreading at a fast pace in every part of the world, their role in the making of a developed nation and making India globally competitive, will become even more important. She stated that young officers’ thoughts, decisions and actions will contribute in a big way in shaping the future of defence systems and the country.

Addressing the Indian Ordnance Factories Service officers, the President said that India has embarked on the journey to achieve the goal of an inclusive and developed nation. She added that the indigenous industries have a huge role in making a self-reliant, competitive and a robust economy. The government has taken several policy initiatives in the past few years and brought in reforms to encourage indigenous design, development, and manufacturing of defence equipment. She stressed that IOFS officers will be the movers and facilitators of indigenization in defence systems and they would be expected to work towards enhancing India’s defence production capabilities.

The President said that India's defence exports have risen from Rs. 686 crore in FY 2013-14 to nearly Rs. 16,000 crore in FY 2022-23. She stated that it is imperative that while discharging their duties, IOFS officers actively participate in the development programmes and facilitate the process of making India a defence manufacturing hub.

Addressing the officers of Indian Defence Accounts Service, the President said that they will be playing a vital role in managing the financial aspects of the country's armed forces. They will be responsible for ensuring efficient financial management and accountability within the defence sector. She expressed confidence that with their professional integrity and based on their robust training modules, IDAS officers will be able to promote financial prudence in defence forces and contribute significantly in nation building. She urged them to adopt latest techniques and methods for auditing and accounting for bringing in greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of defence systems.