Reasons for Forming Shekatkar Committee

The committee was formed in 2015, to enhance the defence expenses to enhance the combat compatibility of the armed forces. This primary aim is associated with the Background of the Shekatkar Committee. The committee was formed to enhance the quality of the equipment being provided to the armed forces patrolling at the border, an increase in overall expenses of the defence budget to reap better benefits in the global standings and facilitate the forces with better accommodation, equipment and training. 

Background of the Shekatkar Committee

The background of the Shekatkar Committee is associated with the formation of the defence oriented committee under the chairmanship of Lt. General D. B Shekatkar (retd.). This committee was formed by the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in the year of 2015. This committee of experts aimed to enhance the quality of the defence budget more cohesively and to reap most of the allocated budget in the provision of effective equipment to the armed forces. This committee also aimed and recommended enhancing the quality of the combat skills and capability of the forces. As of today, the committee has become the guiding principle for the budget allocation and skills oriented measures of the defence forces of India.

Key Recommendations of the Shekatkar Committee

The Shekhatar committee was formed in 2015. It aimed to provide effective support to the armed forces of the country. Therefore the committee made several recommendations for the bordering regions and the ease and accessibility of the armed forces of the country. Key recommendations of the Shekatkar Committee includes the following statements that were proposed to provide support to the defence forces and were accepted by the government:

• Road construction was recommended to speed up, especially at the border regions for the ease of transport of the heavy armoury vehicles at the border regions
• Outsourcing of the road construction work of Border roads organisation beyond the regulated capacity
• It was mandated to procure an engineering procurement contract for execution of any work amounting to more than 100 crores
• Enhanced procurement power is to be delegated to The BRO from 7.5 Crores to 100 crores
• The statutory clearance of the land acquisition of forest and associated environmental regions are made to be a part of the approval of the Detailed Project Report
• It is mandated to award the work only after 90% clearance has been obtained under the adoption of the Engineering Procurement Contract mode of execution

Other recommendations that are waiting for implementation include the following: 

• Better optimisation of signalling establishments like the Radio monitoring companies, composite signal regiments and Corps air support signal regiments.
• Restructuring of the base workshops and the advanced workshops
• Improvised utilisation of support and transport modes 
• Betterment in quality of recruitment of the clerical staff and drivers in the armed focus.

Importance of the Shekatkar Committee

There have been several key progresses in the defence regions that show the importance of the Shekhatkar committee. Since the formation of the Shekahakat committee, there have been several recommendations made by the Committee of Experts that have been accepted by the government. Under the recommendation of the committee, the road construction process has been improved and has become more professional with the implementation of the Engineering Procurement Contract mode for the completion of high valued tasks. The committee has been important in implementing better methods of the construction process and faster closure of the financial processing of the works. This committee has been helpful over time in the process of budget allocation in the defence sector and better recruitment process of candidates for various clerical positions in the armed forces.

Conclusion

In recent times, the progress associated with the defence sector is associated with the background of the Shekatkar Committee. It was aimed at better budget allocation for the military department and optimal usage of technology for betterment in various processes associated with the defence sector. Be it in the bordering regions or the areas under the authority of the armed forces.     It witnessed progress in the method of application of modern technologies and effective completion of the projects. The committee also helped amend the effective financial aspects associated with the construction projects. This committee is guiding the effectiveness of the defence sector of the country.