On 29th October, 2020, Indian army launched a software named ‘Infrastructure Management System (IMS)’ for automation of functions related to infrastructure development and management for ascertaining availability of land, planning and monitoring of works, and environment conservation.
The software was inaugurated by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Manoj Mukund Naravane during the Army Commanders Conference held on 28th October 2020.
Scope of the Software package:
i.To automate works initiation, preparation of list and its approval by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
ii.To accord administrative approval and monitoring of execution by Competent Financial Authority (CFA).
iii.To automate availability of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) pool accommodation, plan vacation, re-allocation and undertake maintenance.
iv.Manage Cantonment roads including emergency closure.
v.Make Land, Works and Quartering policies available online.
vi.Monitor Land encroachment, Old Grant Bungalows, Very Important Persons (VIP) references and transfer/exchange of land.
vii.To automate approval of accommodation allocation/extension for children education ground, special children and Battle/Physical casualty.
Army Launches Secure Application for Internet (SAI):
Indian Army has developed a simple and secure messaging application named “Secure Application for Internet (SAI)” for providing end to end encryption messaging protocol over the internet. It will be utilized Throughout the Army to facilitate secure messaging within the service.
i.It has been developed along the lines of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant) and has been developed by Colonel Sai Shankar.
ii.It will support end to end secure voice, text and video calling services similar to Whatsapp, Telegram, SAMVAD (Society for Advanced Management of Communication and Value Added Dissemination of Information) and GIMS (Government Instant Messenger Portal).
iii.It has local in-house servers and coding which can be altered as per requirements.
iv.The application has been vetted by CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team)-in empaneled auditor and Army Cyber Group.
Recent Related News:
i.On September 15, 2020 The Ministry of Defence cancelled two arms import contracts worth over $2.5 Billion (Approximately Rs. 21,500 Crores), which were in final stages of procurement. The orders will now be placed under the Make in India initiative to give a boost to the domestic industry.
About Indian Army:
Chief of Army Staff – General MM Naravane
Headquarters – New Delhi
