Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the Delegation of Financial Powers to Defense Services (DFPDS) 2021 that aims to empower field formations; focus on operational preparedness; promote ease of doing business and enhance jointness among the services.

The primary focus of the enhanced delegation of financial powers is to empower Field Commanders and below to procure equipment/war-like stores in a speedy manner for urgent operational necessities and meeting essential sustenance requirements. Last such enhancement at all levels for the Defence Services was done in 2016, the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Maintaining that the DFPDS 2021 is another big step in the series of defence reforms being undertaken by the government, the defence minister stressed on the need to revise the policies to cater to the needs of the armed forces.

Exuding confidence that DFPDS 2021 will not only overcome procedural delays, but also bring about greater decentralisation and operational efficiency, SIngh added.

The DFPDS 2021 consists of guidelines related to the following Schedules of Financial Powers, including Army Schedules of Powers-2021 (ASP-2021),Navy Schedules of Powers-2021 (NSP-2021), Air Force Schedules of Powers-2021 (AFSP- 2021) and IDS Schedules of Powers-2021 (ISP-2021).

As per the Ministry's statement, Delegated Financial Powers of Vice Chiefs of the Services have been increased by 10 per cent, subject to an overall ceiling of Rs 500 crore, while Financial Powers of Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs Of Staff Committee (CISC) as CFA has been enhanced substantially and aligned with that of the Vice Chiefs of the Services.

An enabling provision of Emergency Financial Powers to the Field formations below Command level for the Defence Services has now been incorporated in the Emergency Powers Schedule which till present was available to Vice Chiefs and C-in-Cs/equivalent, the ministry stated.

It further stated that a new schedule on hiring of aircraft and associated equipment has been introduced for the Indian Air Force, including hiring of Air to Air re-fuellers.

For Indian Navy, powers for replenishment of Disaster Management Bricks have been delegated to Command Level for immediate response to Natural Disasters/HADR Operations, it added