June 26, 2007
Learn From the Past,
Antony Urges Defence Accountants
New Delhi
In a deft turn of phrase, Defence Minister A.K. Antony Tuesday
maintained that the art of repeating history lies in benefiting from
the wisdom gained from the past and not committing the same
mistakes.
"Though there is nothing wrong in repeating history, the art lies in
repeating it by benefiting from the wisdom gained from it and
without committing the mistakes of the past," he said while
presiding over the centenary celebrations of the defence accounts
department here.
"The centenary celebrations are a...time to retrospect and at the
same time, to look forward with courage, anticipation and hope,"
Antony added.
He also urged the armed forces and other government departments to
"draw from the expertise and professional skills" defence
accountants had gained over the past 100 years "for the efficient
use of the budgetary allocations.
"I am certain that this will also expose our defence accounts
personnel to new and diverse concepts and challenges in audits and
accounts in other sectors," the minister added.
Noting that at the time of the country's independence in 1947,
defence accountants handled a budget of less than Rs.2 billion and
that this had today swelled almost 500 times to Rs.970 billion,
Antony said: "Handling such a massive budget is a huge and an
onerous responsibility.
"After all, defence expenditure constitutes the single largest item
of expenditure after the payment of interest in the non-Plan segment
of central government expenditure. I am sure the finance division
will continue to show transparency and objectivity in discharging
its functions," the minister added.
As part of the centenary celebrations, Antony also released a book
titled "Smriti Sankalan" on the experiences of defence accounts
department heads over the past 60 years.
He also released a two-volume set on proceedings of the
International Seminar on Defence Finance and Economics organised
last November by the department.
Speaking on the occasion, Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt
complimented the department for establishing a "close and
comfortable relationship" with the ministry and the armed forces.
"This has helped streamline and codify various manuals and
procedures," he said.
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