Article Posted on : - May 20, 2016

SHILLONG (PTI): The Indian Air Force is prioritising modernisation of airfields, advance landing grounds and other infrastructure at a cost of nearly Rs 8,000 crore under its Eastern Command, IAF officials said on Thursday.

"The Eastern Air Command of the IAF is giving priority to ongoing modernisation of airfields, Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs) and other associated infrastructure worth nearly Rs 8,000 crore under its area of responsibility," IAF Spokesperson Amit Mahajan said at a conference on Thursday.

This is in addition to Rs 1,100 crore set aside annually for other public fund expenditure, he said.

The discussion came about at a three-day conference of Senior Accounts Officers (SAOs) of all airbases under Eastern Air Command which began here on Thursday.

Chaired by EAC Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, the conference laid emphasis on the protocol for procurement process, audit and use of non-public funds for welfare-related activities of air warriors, Mahajan said.

Principal Integrated Financial Advisor Rasika Choube, Air Vice Marshal Manavendra Singh who is a senior officer in charge of administration, was also present at the meeting.