New Delhi,28 Apr:The Commander’s Conference, a half yearly event that focuses on key policy issues, commenced today at Army Headquarters in New Delhi. The conference was addressed by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony and chaired by Chief of Army Staff Gen Deepak Kapoor.During the opening address Chief of Army Staff emphasized upon need to synergise intelligence setup and social-indices in insurgency-affected areas. Efforts are afoot to increase defence cooperation with foreign countries to enhance inter operability, the chief said. Other highlights of today’s meeting were AV Singh committee on its final stage of implementation, along with the other issue discussed in the first day session of Cdr’ Conf were:
– Phase 1 of construction project of married accommodation is being expedited.
– Services of Ex Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) are being reviewed to make it more users friendly.
– Steps are being taken to meet the short fall amongst the ranks. Additional strength is being utilized to handle high tech appointment.
Later in the day at Kashmir House, the Chief of Army Staff Gen Kapoor gave away the prizes to the winners of COAS Gold Medal Essay Competition 2007 – 2008, on the topics ‘Exploitation of space for the Armed Forces in General and Army in Particular’ and Interpersonal Communication & Military Leadership. The winners of first category were Lt Col UM Visal – Golden Medal, Lt Col Shri S Desh Pande Silver Medal and Col TS Bains Bronze Medal. The winners of second essay were Col HS Parmar, Col JS Bhullar and Major Rahul Kulkarni.