DEFENCE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (DITCC) MEETING - 11 AUGUST 2008

     The third Defence Information Technology Consultative Committee Meeting (DITCC) was held under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi on 11 August 2008.
The aim of this meeting was to review the progress made on the issues discussed in the second DITCC meeting, consolidate further on the efforts made and chalk out the future course of action to synergise and steer directions towards a fully integrated approach in implementing Information Technology matters in the Ministry of Defence, three Services and various organisations under Ministry of Defence.
   Senior officers and representatives from Defence Forces, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Defence (Finance), Ministry of Communication & IT, DRDO, PSUs, Academia and leading IT companies from the Private Sector participated in the meet.
The Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Shri MM Pallam Raju, inaugurated the meeting.
     The meeting was put into motion by the Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, who his Opening Address, welcomed all members and expressed happiness that members could make it convenient to attend the meeting of DITCC. The Hon’ble minister appreciated the progress on the issues deliberated during the last DITCC meeting especially related to the development of ICT Road Map, establishment of Centres of Excellence in Niche Areas and consultancy in IT HR. He emphasised the need to now accelerate efforts to exploit futuristic technologies and collective strengths to the fullest extent for a synergised and effective capability building and optimisation of resources.
     The Hon’able RRM was glad to observe that DITCC has now matured as an invaluable forum for steering the synergistic and speedy application of IT in the Ministry of Defence and the three Services which he said was largely possible due to the collective efforts of HQ IDS, the three Services, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Defence (Finance), DRDO, PSUs, Academia, CII, NASSCOM and leading IT Companies. He conveyed his appreciation to all members for their positive contributions towards the efforts in optimization of Info Tech capabilities and expressed confidence that members would continue to provide whole hearted support and sound advice for ensuring the technological soundness and sustainability of endeavors of the Armed Forces.

     Brig PK Mallick, DACIDS (DIARA), Assistant Convenor DITCC, commenced the proceedings by giving out a brief on the progress made on the points raised during previous meetings. Thereafter, presentations were made by the following on progress of various sub committees :-
     (a) ICT Road Map - Brig PK Mallick on behalf of IW & IT Dte.
     (b) Centres of Excellence - Brig PK Mallick.
     (c) IT HR Study - Wg Cdr TK Gupta, Joint Director (DIARA).

     These presentations were each succeeded by detailed deliberation and discussion amongst the members and the ideas generated would go a long way in steering the future course for a fully integrated IT environment in the Ministry of Defence, three Services and various organisations under Ministry of Defence
     Towards the end, Lt Gen HS Lidder, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, VSM, ADC, CISC & Chairman of the DITCC, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, in his concluding address thanked the Hon’ble RRM for making it convenient to attend the conference despite his busy schedule. He also thanked the members for their presence and assured the house that the views expressed by members have been taken note of and will be actioned upon. He assured the house that DITCC being a consultative committee, the ideas generated by the members would be taken on board and shortcomings flagged for rectification.


Photographic coverage of the event is appended >>