New post of Secretary for Defence Finance

New Delhi, May 18: A new Secretary-level post has been created in Defence Ministry to help in better management of its accounts and its huge budget of over Rs two lakh crore.

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shobhana Joshi, an Indian Defence Accounts Service officer of 1979 batch, as Secretary (Defence Finance) with effect from June 1, 2016, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training said.

She is presently working as Controller General of Defence Accounts. S S Mohanty, who retires on May 31, was working as Financial Adviser (Defence Services). This post has been upgraded to Secretary-level post, officials said.

Traditionally, there have been four secretaries working in the Ministry of Defence. The Department of Defence, Department of Defence Production, Department of Ex Serviceman Welfare, and Defence Research and Development Organisation are each headed by a Secretary.

About Rs 2.58 lakh crore have been earmarked for defence to meet its expenses during ongoing fiscal.

PTI