Rare antiques found at Defence Accounts department

Rare antiques found at Defence Accounts department

PUNE: During a cleanliness drive held at Defence Accounts Department (DAD) at Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (PCDA) (Southern Command), Pune, on the occasion of 271st Raising Day, officials recovered treasure items like a mechanical calculator, antique letter box, calendar, quill pen holder used by the staffers earlier.

The office of the PCDA (SC) is functioning in the heritage building opposite the General Post Office (GPO), in Camp, since 1864. The PCDA (SC), is also known as ‘The Mother of All Commands’, as it serves three states of India, viz. Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

During the cleanliness drive under the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’, the officials stumbled upon the equipment used by the defence accounts employees in the past. “The items were found in rooms unattended. During the cleanliness drive we came across these items which tell the tale of rich history of our department. At 271 years, DAD is one of the oldest departments under the Central government,” said Benjamina, PCDA (SC). 

He said that renowned revolutionary Vasudev Balwant Phadke served in the office for 13 years. 

The DAD is entrusted with the responsibility to ensure proper audit, payment and financial advice to the Indian Defence Services i.e. Army, Air Force and Navy as also all independent support groups like Defence Ordnance Factories, DRDO laboratories/ projects, Coast Guard, Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Cadets Corps (NCC), Defence Estates, Canteen Services Department etc. The responsibility also includes foreign procurements for these services.  

Seven other important DAD offices are also located in Pune which includes the office of the PCDA (Officers) Pune. The present structure of DAD came in existence on October 1 1951, and since then the ‘Raising Day’ is celebrated on October 1 every year.

DAD’S ‘WALK TOWARDS CLEANLINESS’
The DAD organised a ‘Walk towards Cleanliness’ on Sunday on the occasion of 271st Raising Day of the department, from the office of the PCDA (SC) Pune to office of the PCDA (O), Golibar Maidan, Pune. 

Approximately 500 employees from several offices of DAD actively cleaned the road and roadside areas while passing through GPO, Dastur School and Dr Ambedkar statue, East Street. 

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