New Delhi, Sep 30 (NationPress) In alignment with the Defence Ministry’s Year of Reforms initiative, the Defence Estates Organisation (DEO) has implemented strategies to enhance efficiency, transparency, and institutional capacity, as stated by an official on Tuesday.

During this reform period, DEO made significant strides in digitisation, enacted land management reforms, introduced welfare programs focused on citizens, and improved infrastructure, showcasing the Ministry’s dedication to modernising defence administration, according to the official.

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to unveil a series of new publications intended to bolster the institutional capacity of the Controller General of Defence Accounts while also promoting modernisation and transparency, as per the official announcement.

He will also participate in the 278th Annual Day celebration of the Defence Accounts Department in New Delhi.

Additionally, the Defence Estates Organisation has partnered with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to broaden social welfare initiatives within cantonments, such as the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, NAMASTE, and Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana, thereby enhancing the welfare ecosystem for local residents.

A significant milestone was the Special Land Audit Report for the North Eastern Region, which assessed nearly 50,000 acres of Army-occupied land across eight states, including Sikkim, thus improving transparency and accountability in defence land management.

On the administrative front, DG Shailendra Nath Gupta executed cadre reforms in accordance with Ministry directives, which included updates to recruitment rules, cadre restructuring, and the establishment of three Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs), ensuring timely promotions, the statement revealed.

Infrastructure development saw the laying of foundation stones for new complexes in Chandigarh, Guwahati, and Western Command (Principal Directorate), along with the inauguration of the Udhampur Complex, thereby reinforcing modern institutional facilities.

The DEO’s future vision was underscored during the ‘Manthan 2025’ Conference, which was inaugurated by the Defence Minister, outlining a roadmap towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047, emphasizing carbon-neutral cantonments, technology-integrated land management, institutional reforms, and governance focused on citizens.

Upon DG Gupta's retirement, the Defence Ministry and DEO commended his impactful tenure, which laid down solid institutional foundations, initiated significant reforms, and reaffirmed DEO’s role as a modern, efficient, and citizen-centric organisation, according to the statement.