Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a ‘Chintan Shivir’ of Ministry of Defence in New Delhi on July 06, 2023, where several innovative proposals emerged to enhance indigenisation content in domestic defence manufacturing; provide better health & pension services & re-settlement to the ex-servicemen; more collaboration of DRDO with other research bodies; performance audit; bringing more efficiency in the functioning Ministry of Defence and future roadmap of different organisations.

The Raksha Mantri sat through the day-long deliberations, which were spread over six sessions, covering important issues pertaining to Department of Defence (DoD), Department of Defence Production (DDP), MoD (Finance), Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).

Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane, Secretary (Ex Servicemen Welfare) Shri Vijoy Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat and other civil & military officials of MoD from all ranks attended the meeting.

Presentations were made by each department which were followed by frank and free exchange of ideas.

Tweeting after the meeting, the Rajnath said: “Had extensive discussions during the day-long ‘MoD Chintan Shivir’ today. Several important issues pertaining to strengthening India’s Defence capabilities and the welfare of our Ex-Servicemen were discussed. I have directed all the concerned departments to prepare a time bound action plan and make a presentation on the Action Taken Report within 15 days.”