These are in addition to the emergency powers delegated to the medical officers of the armed forces last week, a defence ministry statement said.
“The powers will help formation commanders to establish and operate quarantine facilities/hospitals and undertake procurement/repair of equipment/items/material/stores, besides provisioning of various services and works required to support the ongoing effort against the pandemic,” it said.
Vice chiefs of the three armed forces, including the Chief Of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs Of Staff Committee (CISC) and General Officer Commanding-in-Chiefs (GOC-in-Cs) and equivalents in all three services have been given full powers.
“The Corps Commanders/Area Commanders have been delegated powers up to Rs 50 lakh per case and Division Commanders/Sub Area Commanders and equivalents have been delegated powers up to Rs 20 lakh per case,” the ministry said.
The armed forces have been aiding India’s fight against the Covid pandemic as the country grapples with a severe second wave of the virus.
From setting up hospitals to airlifting doctors, medical supplies and large cryogenic oxygen containers, the country’s defence establishment has swung into action over the last few weeks.
