Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Monday emphasised that prudent financial management is essential to ensuring the operational readiness of the Armed Forces.
Addressing the Officer Trainees of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) from the 2023 and 2024 batches at the Vice-President’s Enclave, he underscored the significance of the Service.
He said the IDAS plays a critical role in managing the financial resources of the Indian Armed Forces and allied organisations.
As the accounting and financial authority of the Defence Services, the Vice-President said IDAS officers must understand and assimilate the challenges faced by the Armed Forces while discharging their duties.
Welcoming the officer trainees, he noted with pride that the Defence Accounts Department has a legacy of more than 275 years, making it one of the oldest departments of the Government of India.
The Vice-President said that as the nation moves towards the ambitious goal of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, civil servants will play a pivotal role in translating this vision into reality.
He recalled the clarion call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Amrit Kaal and emphasised that development must focus on inclusive growth and last-mile delivery.
Stating that the youthful energy and innovative thinking of young officers would be vital for nation-building, he urged them to adopt Seva Bhav and Kartavya Bodh as their guiding mantra.
The Vice-President stressed the need to maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, vigilance, and accountability, especially since public money represents the hard-earned contributions of taxpayers.
He also underlined the importance of continuous capacity building in an era marked by rapid technological and scientific advancements, encouraging officers to make effective use of platforms such as iGOT Karmayogi for lifelong learning.
Speaking on values in public service, the Vice-President said that while knowledge is essential, character is paramount. He reminded the officers that among India’s 140 crore citizens, they have been entrusted with a rare opportunity to bring about positive change in society and must exercise this responsibility with humility and dedication.
Responding to a question from an officer trainee on expectations from civil servants in the journey towards Viksit Bharat, the Vice-President urged them to remain innovative, adaptive to modern technologies, enthusiastic in their work, empathetic in their approach, and ethical in administration.