LT GEN HARPAL SINGH, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC MESSAGE BY THE E-IN-C ON MES DAY 2021
The MES organization, comprising of proficient personnel who are deployed across the length and breadth of the country at remote locations in all types of terrain and inhospitable climatic conditions, has been playing an important role in enhancing the combat effectiveness of the Armed Forces. The organization is not only fully geared up to provide works services support during peace time, but also provide dedicated support during national crisis including war.
This year the world witnessed an unprecedented crisis in terms of COVID-19 pandemic which compelled various restrictions to be promulgated in the country affecting the construction industry and the Military Engineer Services was also not left untouched. However, a number of steps were initiated within the stipulations prevailing in the country and considerable success was achieved. Laudatory efforts were put in by the Military Engineer Services which resulted in “No Breakdown of Essential Services” in any station. The Military Engineer Services has also played a key role in creating and modifying existing assets into COVID care facilities across the country. A multispecialty hospital constructed by the Military Engineer Services in Pune providing state of the art medical facilities has been inaugurated in Jan 2021.
To overcome present and future challenges a number of important cases have been taken up with the Ministry. These will enhance infrastructure development, enable usage of modern technology, give more flexibility to the executives and cater for user’s aspirations. In line with the Government policies, vision and with the intent of promoting ease of doing business, important procedures and policies have also been updated. The much needed revision of the DWP (Defence Works Procedure) 2020 was approved by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri in Nov 2020. The SoA (Scales of Accommodation) is also at an advanced stage of approval with MoD and will ensure improved specifications in future projects and better standards of living. In addition, case for Revision of Existing Plinth Area Conversion Factor (PACF), fast track processing of AMWP cases, Project Approval Board (PAB), and e-Governance applications in MES are also being pursued vigorously. Contemporary contract management practice of EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) methodology and modern technologies/ techniques are also being adopted in works.
MES has been in the forefront in ensuring overall fiscal prudence and reducing electricity tariff. The road map for tariff reduction by using Deemed Licensee Status to purchase electricity directly as well as to resort to power trading at Indian Energy Exchange is being finalized for implementation on pan India basis. A case has also been taken up with MoD for creation of special slab for electric tariff for Armed Forces and according advantage of Group Housing Scheme. In addition, several measures in the field of energy conservation and use of renewable energy and green technology are underway. Towards this LED-isation of 66 lakh light points have been completed till date. An annual saving of ₹ 250 crore is expected on completion of 100% LED-isation. 150 MW (Mega Watt) Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) projects are also targeted to be completed by Mar 2022 in an effort to reduce the national carbon footprint and will accrue an annual saving of ₹ 70-80 crore per year.
Automation and digitization is the need of the hour and a major drive has also been undertaken to automate various functions of the Military Engineer Services which will not only cut down the time delays, but also transform works environment by unlocking latent productivity, foster transparency and efficiency. The MES complaint monitoring module ARMAAN (Army Mobile Aadhaar App Network) was successfully implemented and a software based application (WBPMP - Web Based Project Monitoring Portal) is under planning for automating various functions of MES and monitoring of capital works to ensure strict supervision and efficient management of ongoing projects. In addition, there are nine other e-Governance applications under development which shall be integrated in phase two to evolve singular Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution.
The long outstanding case for revision of scales of authorization for MES B vehicles was also sanctioned by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, due to active persuasion and personal involvement at all levels.
On the occasion of 99th MES day, I congratulate all personnel and urge them to continue dedicating themselves to this great organization and contribute towards Nation Building by providing better services to the Armed Forces.
Jai Hind !
