Military Engineer Services (India): Difference between revisions

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
m (→‎References: clean up)
(robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit))
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Military infrastructure organisation}}
{{short description|Military infrastructure organisation}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Copy edit|date=April 2021}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2021}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2021}}
{{Confusing|date=May 2021}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| caption            =  
| logo                = [[File:This is the logo for Military Engineer Services.png|150px]]
| formation          = 26 September 1923
| formation          = 26 September 1923
| type                = Government Organisation
| type                = Government Organisation
Line 14: Line 10:
| leader_name        = Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh
| leader_name        = Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh
| leader_title2      = Director General (Personnel)
| leader_title2      = Director General (Personnel)
| leader_name2        = Sh. Mahesh Kumar Gupta, IDSE
| leader_name2        = Mahesh Kumar Gupta, IDSE
| name                = Military Engineer Services
| name                = Military Engineer Services
| location            = New Delhi
| location            = New Delhi
| region              = India {{flagicon|IND}}
| region              = India  
| website            = [https://mes.gov.in/ www.mes.gov.in]
| website            = [https://mes.gov.in/ www.mes.gov.in]
}}
}}
'''Military Engineer Services''' (MES) is one of the oldest and largest government defence infrastructure development agencies in [[India]]. It is mainly employed in engineering and construction for the Indian Armed Forces, including the [[Indian Army]], [[Indian Navy]], [[Indian Air Force]], [[Indian Ordnance Factories]], [[Defence Research and Development Organisation|DRDO]] and the [[Indian Coast Guard]]. {{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}
The '''Military Engineer Services''' (MES) is an inter-service organisation with military and civilian components of its officers and subordinate staff. MES is one of the oldest and largest government defence infrastructure-development agencies in [[India]]. Construction work is done with contracts, but maintenance is conducted by departmentally-employed labour (DEL) and contracts.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MES {{!}} Department Of Defence|url=https://mod.gov.in/dod/mes#mis|access-date=2018-09-25|website=mod.gov.in|language=en}}</ref> MES is primarily employed in engineering and construction for the [[Indian Armed Forces]], including the [[Indian Army|Army]], [[Indian Navy|Navy]], [[Indian Air Force|Air Force]], the [[Ordnance Factory Board]], and the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation|DRDO]]. <ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=About Us {{!}} Military Engineer Services{{!}} Military Engineer Services, Government of India|url=https://mes.gov.in/en/content/about-us|access-date=2021-09-03|website=mes.gov.in}}</ref> It is also involved in complex projects, including hospitals, airfields, buildings, workshops, roads, runways, hangars, dockyards, wharves, and other marine structures.<ref name=":4" /> MES has been entrusted with the construction of the [[National War Memorial (India)|Indian National War Memorial]].<ref name=":3" />


Besides conventional building construction for the Armed Forces, Military Engineer Services is also involved in the execution of sophisticated and complex projects, including airfields, buildings, workshops, roads, sports complexes, runways, hangars, dockyards, wharves, and other marine structures. {{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}
[[Indian Army Corps of Engineers]] officers form the MES' military component. Its civilian component consists of the Indian Defence Service Engineers (IDSE) and the Indian Defence Contract Management Service (IDCMS). The surveyor, architect and barrack/stores cadres are selected through the [[Indian Engineering Services]] and the [[Union Public Service Commission]] (UPSC).


Military Engineer Services has also been entrusted with the construction of the [[National War Memorial (India)|Indian National War Memorial]]<ref name=":3" /> and the National War Museum.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}
==History==
The MES, established as a construction agency, is a pillar of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army supporting engineering development for the armed forces.<ref name="MES Reference1">{{cite news|date=7 May 2020|title=Defence Ministry Abolishes 9,304 Military Engineering Services Posts|publisher=outlookindia.com|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-defence-ministry-abolishes-9304-military-engineering-services-posts/352263|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> Although it was established as a military organisation, civilians may serve as officers and support staff. The MES is one of India's largest government construction and maintenance organisations, with an annual budget of about {{INR}}13,000 [[crore]]. It is responsible for strategic and operational infrastructure such as roads, homes, and offices for all three services and associated organisations of the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]].<ref name=" MES Reference1" /> MES was created and brought under control of an Engineer-in-Chief on 26 September 1923 by the Secretary of State of India, unifying Royal Corps of Engineers personnel and civilian staff. The Engineer-in-Chief advises the Ministry of Defence and its services on operational and peacetime construction activities.<ref name="MES Reference1" /> The department is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of all Army, Navy, and Air Force infrastructure.<ref name="MES Reference1" /> It designs works which are executed through contracts under the supervision of officers and staff (qualified civilians and Corps of Engineers officers).<ref name="MES Reference1" /> To integrate the work, a multi-disciplinary team of civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers, architects, structural designers, quantity surveyors, and contract specialists plan, design, and [[Infrastructure asset management|supervise infrastructure assets]].<ref name="MES Reference1" /> The department's civilian staff is divided into four main categories: engineers, surveyors, architects (all qualified engineers), and administrative staff.<ref name="MES Reference1" />


MES is an Inter-Service Organization with both military and civilian components to officers and other subordinate staff. Whilst the execution of all construction work is carried out through contracts, maintenance services are partly conducted by departmentally employed labour (DEL) as well as by contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mod.gov.in/dod/mes#mis|title=MES {{!}} Department Of Defence|website=mod.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref>
The organisation was created over 200 years ago to maintain civilian and military infrastructure. It was part of the army as the Public Works Department (PWD), controlled by the Indian Corps of Engineers (in turn overseen by a military board), until the 18th century. The PWD was subjected to civilian control in 1851, though it remained responsible for military and civil works.<ref name="MES Reference1" /> In 1881, the PWD's military-related works were segregated and transferred to the military department under a director general (a rank created in 1889). A 1919–1920 [[Army of India]] committee allocated military works to the quartermaster general, and sapper/miner-related works to the Chief of the General Staff. These were combined under an Engineer-in-Chief in September 1923.<ref name="MES Reference1" />


Army officers from The Corps of Engineers form the military component of the organization. The civilian element is made up of the IDSE (Indian Defense Service Engineers) and IDCMS (Indian Defense Contract Management Service), or Surveyor cadre, which is selected through [[Indian Engineering Services]] conducted by the [[Union Public Service Commission|UPSC]], along with the Architect cadre and Barrack/Stores cadre. The civilian and military components together are responsible for the efficient working of the organization.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}
MES Day is celebrated on 26 September every year.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=MES Day|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2012/dec16-12/h16.htm|access-date=2021-05-20|website=Armed Forces Panorama|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002033559/http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2012/dec16-12/h16.htm|archive-date=2 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Its 90th anniversary was celebrated on 26 September 2012, with the theme "Cementing a Bond with Users".<ref name=":0" />


== History ==
===Forerunners{{anchor|Precursors}}===
MES was established as a construction agency and is one of the pillars of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army that supports back-end engineering development for armed forces.<ref name="MES Reference1">{{cite news|date=7 May 2020|title=Defence Ministry Abolishes 9,304 Military Engineering Services Posts|publisher=outlookindia.com|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-defence-ministry-abolishes-9304-military-engineering-services-posts/352263|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> Though it was established as a military organization, personnel with civil backgrounds can serve as officers and support staff. Currently, it is one of the largest government construction and maintenance organizations in India, with a total annual budgetary allocation of approximately Rs 13000 crores. It is also responsible for strategic and operational infrastructure like roads, homes, offices, and residential buildings for all three services and associated organizations of the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defense]].<ref name=" MES Reference1" /> MES was created and brought under the unified control of an Engineer-in-Chief on 26 September 1923 by the then-Secretary of State of India and by the unification of the Royal Corps of Engineers Personnel and Civilian Staff. The Engineer-in-Chief is the advisor to the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defense]] and its three services on operational and peacetime construction activities.<ref name="MES Reference1" /> The department is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of all infrastructure assets of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.<ref name="MES Reference1" /> To facilitate the efficiency and quality of work, the organization is structured to design works that are executed through contracts under the supervision of officers and staff consisting of qualified civilians and combatants from the Corps of Engineers.<ref name="MES Reference1" /> To enable integrated work, the members form a multi-disciplinary team of civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers, as well as architects, structural designers, quantity surveyors, and contract specialists for the planning, designing, and supervision of infrastructure assets.<ref name="MES Reference1" /> The civilian staff of the department is divided into four main categories: engineers, surveyor staff, architects and BSO (all being qualified engineers), and administrative staff.<ref name="MES Reference1" />{{Clarify|date=May 2021}}
Civil and military engineering services in India began as military service. When the [[East India Company]] extended and consolidated its rule of India during the 18th and 19th centuries, the army's engineering requirements superseded those of other departments.<ref name=":1">{{Cite report|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/4901/1/ec_2_25_1958.pdf|title=Estimates Committee 1957-1958 Twenty-Fifth Report (Second Lok Sabha)|date=April 1958|access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref>


The organization has historical significance, as it was created more than 200 years ago to execute civilian and military infrastructure. However, until the 18th century, the organization remained as part of the army as the Public Works Department (PWD), controlled by the Indian Corps of Engineers, which operated under the control of a Military Board. In 1851, the PWD was subjected to civilian control, though it remained responsible for military and civil works.<ref name="MES Reference1" /> Then, in 1881, the military-related works of PWD were segregated and transferred to the military department and were headed by a Director General (a rank created in 1889). Subsequently, the "Army in India" committee (1919–1920) allocated military-related works under the Quarter Master General and the Sappers/Miners-related works under the Chief of the General Staff. These were later combined under Engineer-in-Chief in September 1923.<ref name="MES Reference1" />{{Clarify|date=May 2021}}
The first group of engineers in India was formed in 1748 in the [[Madras Army]]. From 1776 to 1818, sappers and [[Tunnel warfare|miners]] existed in the [[Bengal Army]]; they were organised on 19 February 1819 in six [[Company (military unit)|companies]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=July 2008|title=Compendium of MES Routine Instructions - 2008|url=http://www.mes.org.bd/files/upload/files/2013_05_10_12_03_07routine_instruction_part_i.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2021|website=www.mes.org.bd}}</ref> On 1 April 1862, they were combined with the [[Royal Engineers]] of the [[British Indian Army]].<ref name=":2" />


Since then MES Day is celebrated on 26 September every year.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=h16|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2012/dec16-12/h16.htm|access-date=2021-05-20|website=sainiksamachar.nic.in}}</ref> The 90th celebration was celebrated on 26 September 2012, and its theme was "Cementing Bond with Users".<ref name=":0" />
As conditions stabilised, the Public Works Department was formed under a military board staffed by members of the [[Indian Corps of Engineers]] and was military in character.<ref name=":1" /> As civil works became more important, civil engineers were increasingly employed and provincial governments became dissatisfied with military control of civilian works.<ref name=":1" /> The Public Works Department came under civilian control in 1851, with no separate department for military works. Due to an 1860 increase in civil works, many civil engineers were engaged and the military began to lose control of its works.<ref name=":2" /> The Special Military Works Branch of the Public Works Department was given responsibility for major works by 1871, and was placed under military control ten years later.<ref name=":2" /> In 1889, the Military Works Department was responsible for all military works; entirely military in nature by 1899, it was staffed by Royal Engineers.<ref name=":2" /> The organisation was first renamed "Military Works Services" and then renamed "Military Engineer Services" in 1923.<ref name=":2" />


=== Precursors ===
The senior Royal Engineer officer was known as the Director-General of Public Works until 1921, when the position's title was changed to Director of Works.<ref name=":2" /> On 4 December 1923, the position of Engineer in Chief was created to control both branches of military engineers (sappers, miners and combat troops and the Military Engineer Services).<ref name=":2" />
Both civil and military engineer services in India began as military service. When the [[East India Company]] was extending and consolidating its rule over India in the 18th and 19th centuries, the army's engineering requirements were more predominant{{Clarify|date=May 2021}} than those of other departments.<ref name=":1">{{Cite report|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/4901/1/ec_2_25_1958.pdf|title=Estimates Committee 1957-1958 Twenty-Fifth Report (Second Lok Sabha)|date=April 1958|access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref>


The first establishment of "engineers" in India was formed in 1748 within the [[Madras Army]]. From 1776 to 1818, the "Bengal Sappers and Miners" existed in some form in the [[Bengal Army]], but they officially came into being on 19 February 1819 and were composed of six companies.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=July 2008|title=Compendium of MES Routine Instructions - 2008|url=http://www.mes.org.bd/files/upload/files/2013_05_10_12_03_07routine_instruction_part_i.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=20 May 2021|website=www.mes.org.bd}}</ref> On 1 April 1862, the two were combined with the Royal Engineers of the [[British Indian Army]], and they were thereafter in the Department of Public Works of Railways or Survey{{Clarify|date=May 2021}}.<ref name=":2" />
==Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE)==
 
As conditions stabilized, the Public Works Department was formed under the control of a "Military Board", staffed by members of the [[Indian Corps of Engineers]] and of an entire military character.<ref name=":1" /> As civil works became more important, civil engineers were increasingly employed, and provincial governments became dissatisfied with military control over works made on their behalf.<ref name=":1" /> The "Public Works Department" was under civil control from 1851, and no separate department was considered necessary for military works. Due to a boom in civil works in 1860, many civil engineers were engaged, and the military began to lose control over military works.<ref name=":2" /> This situation was so bad by 1871 that the "Special Military Works Branch" of the Public Works Department was given responsibility for major works; this branch was put under military control ten years later.<ref name=":2" /> In 1889, the "Military Works Department" took responsibility for all military works in India; by 1899, it was entirely military in nature and staffed by Royal Engineers.<ref name=":2" /> The organization was then renamed "Military Works Services," and then renamed "Military Engineer Services" in 1923, which remains its name to this day.<ref name=":2" />
 
The senior Royal Engineer officer was known as the "Director-General of Public Works," but in 1921, the position's title was changed to "Director of Works."<ref name=":2" /> Then on 4 December 1923, the position of an "Engineer in Chief" was created to control both branches of military engineers (the "Sappers and Miners"/Combat Troops and the "Military Engineer Services").<ref name=":2" />
 
==Indian Defense Service of Engineers (IDSE)==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}
The Indian Defense Service of Engineers (IDSE) is an engineering service that is the backbone of the infrastructure of the [[Indian Armed Forces]]. Engineers are selected through the Indian Engineering Services examination conducted by [[Union Public Service Commission|UPSC]]. They are initially posted as assistant directors (staff appointment) or assistant garrison engineers (executive appointment) and then promoted up to director general (personnel) (HAG level post). When on an executive appointment, these officers are responsible for the overall functioning of their offices by way of providing B/R or E/m services in garrison or on the project. While on staff appointments, they are associated with planning, structural design, legal and personal matters.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}
The Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE) is an engineering service which is the backbone of armed-forces infrastructure. Engineers are selected through the Indian Engineering Services examination, conducted by the [[Union Public Service Commission]] (UPSC). Initially posted as assistant directors (staff appointments) or assistant garrison engineers (executive appointments), they are promoted to director general (personnel).
 
Officers who are promoted to EE from AE (departmental promotion from JE level) automatically become part of IDSE Gp A. {{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}{{Clarify|date=May 2021}}


==Military Officers (Corps of Engineers)==
=={{anchor|Military Officers (Corps of Engineers)}}Military officers (Corps of Engineers)==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}
Corps of Engineers Officers and the Military Junior Engineers and Clerical staff form the Military Cadre in the MES. The officers, JCOs, and other ranks are posted to MES Establishments on tenures. Officers' tenure appointments range from Assistant Garrison Engineers to Engineer-in-Chief. {{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}
Corps of Engineers officers and military junior engineers and clerical staff form the MES' military cadre.
 
==Indian Defense Contract Management Service (IDCMS)==
The '''Indian Defense Contract Management Service''' ('''IDCMS''')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://idcms.org|title= IDCMS|website=idcms.org|accessdate= 1 August 2020}}</ref> is a civil service of the [[Government of India]]. The IDCMS is a[[Gazetted Officer (India)|Gazetted]] (Group A) of defence-civilian officers under the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defense]]. They are responsible for all the financial matters, including procurement, tendering, contract management, dispute resolution, arbitration, and quantity surveying. IDCMS (Indian Defense Contract Management Service) is one of the organized Group 'A' Services of Union of [[India]] under Administrative Control of the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]]. IDCMS officers are basically Civil Engineers by qualification who are experts in the field of Public Procurement, Contract Management, Arbitration, Quantity Surveying and negotiating the terms and conditions of Contract and ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the Contract to maximize financial and operational performance and minimize risk and disputes.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}{{Clarify|date=May 2021}}


The officers in this cadre are involved in all the stages of Contract Management, from NIT up to Arbitration and Court Cases. Inter alia is involved in the framing of specifications, detailed contract drafting, competitive bidding, and tenders' analysis and acceptance. IDCMS is the Procurement and Contract Management specialist service of the Central Govt Services.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}{{Clarify|date=May 2021}}
=={{anchor|Indian Defence Contract Management Service (IDCMS)}}Indian Defence Contract Management Service==
The Indian Defence Contract Management Service (IDCMS) is a civil service of the [[government of India]]. The IDCMS is a [[Gazetted Officer (India)|gazetted]] group of civilian officers under the Ministry of Defence which is responsible for all financial matters, including procurement, tendering, contract management, dispute resolution, arbitration, and [[Quantity surveyor|quantity surveying]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://idcms.org|title= IDCMS Officers|website=Indian Defence Contract Management Service Officers Association|access-date= 12 September 2021}}</ref>


== Hierarchy ==
{{anchor|Hierarchy}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}
{|class="wikitable"
<center>
|+MES hierarchy
{|border="1" cellpadding="5"
|-
|-
! scope="col" | Grade
! scope="col" | Grade
! scope="col" | Rank  
! scope="col" | Rank  
! scope="col" | Designation in Headquarter
! scope="col" | Designation
! Pay Scale
! Basic Salary per Months
|-
|-
|Junior Time Scale
|Junior Time Scale
|Assistant Executive Engineer  
|Assistant Executive Engineer  
|Assistant Director  
|Assistant Director  
| {{INR}} 56100
| {{INR}}56,100
|-
|-
|Senior Time Scale
|Senior Time Scale
|Executive Engineer
|Executive Engineer
|Deputy Director
|Deputy Director
| {{INR}} 67700
| {{INR}}67,700
|-
|-
|Senior Time Scale (Non-Functional)
|Senior Time Scale (Non-functional)
|Executive Engineer (NFSG)
|Executive Engineer (NFSG)
|Joint Director
|Joint Director
| {{INR}} 78800
| {{INR}}78,800
|-
|-
|Junior Administrative Grade (Functional)
|Junior Administrative Grade (Functional)
|Superintending Engineer  
|Superintending Engineer  
|Director
|Director
| {{INR}} 123100
| {{INR}}123,100
|-
|-
|Senior Administrative Grade
|Senior Administrative Grade
|Chief Engineer
|Chief Engineer
|Joint Director-General  
|Joint Director-General  
| {{INR}} 144200
| {{INR}}144,200
|-
|-
|Higher Administrative Grade  
|Higher Administrative Grade  
|Additional Director General
|Additional Director General
| ADG Arbitration
| ADG Arbitration
| {{INR}} 182200
| {{INR}}182,200{{cn|date=September 2021}}
|-
|}
|}
</center>


==Architect Cadre==
=={{anchor|Architect Cadre|Barrack & Stores Cadre}}Cadres==
Architect cadre officers are responsible for producing the architectural drawings of various buildings and other structures. These officers are posted as Deputy Architects and promoted up to Additional Director General (Arch.){{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}{{Clarify|date=May 2021}}
 
==Barrack & Stores Cadre==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}
The Barrack Service Cadre is as old as Military Engineer Services though it remained under the Control of respective Station Commanders in the initial years during the pre-independence era. The Barrack Organization was originally introduced in 1946 to build up a service of the Barrack Department on the British Army Pattern, eventually to place it under the Army Service Corps as in the [[United Kingdom]]. Special Army Order 5/S/48 was issued setting up the Barrack Service by the MES to be ultimately transferred to the OC Station for Revenue Duties. Thus the cadre was responsible to two authorities, one to the MES for furniture and stores and the other to the Station Commander for revenue duties such as handing/taking over of buildings, submission of occupation/vacation returns, issue License Fee Bills, recovery of rent & allied charges from paying consumers in occupation of defence land/buildings, etc. The position was reviewed during 1949, and a Memorandum of Procedure, Organization, and Duties of Barrack Services was issued in July 1949. Accordingly, Barrack Services was made responsible for Revenue duties, and the responsibility of billing was transferred from Station Commander to the BO function independently under Commander Works Engineers. Barrack & Store Branch provides Barrack services in addition to procuring, accounting, stocking/preserving, and issuing of stores, both for works and maintenance. Barrack services include handing/taking over buildings to/from units & officers/staff and providing & maintaining technical & married accent furniture. These services also include regular billing for rent, water, and electricity consumed by service personnel, civilian officers/staff & private parties, and charging for barrack damages whenever they occur. The B/S officers are posted as Barrack Stores OFFICER and promoted up to PRINCIPAL BARRACK STORES OFFICER.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}{{Clarify|date=May 2021}}
Architect-cadre officers, responsible for producing [[architectural drawing]]s of buildings and other structures, are posted as deputy architects and promoted to additional director general (Arch.) The barrack-service cadre is as old as MES, although it remained under the control of its respective station commanders before independence. The Barrack Organisation (BO) was introduced in 1946 to develop a barrack department patterned on that of the [[British Army]] and eventually place it under the [[Indian Army Service Corps]]. Special Army Order 5/S/48 was issued, authorising the establishment of the Barrack Service by the MES. After a 1949 review, a Memorandum of Procedure, Organisation, and Duties of Barrack Services was issued in July of that year. Barrack Services was given responsibility for revenue duties,{{clarify|date=September 2021|reason=What are revenue duties?}} and billing was transferred from the station commander to the BO. The Barrack & Store Branch provides barrack services in addition to procuring, accounting, stocking and preserving, and issuing stores for works and maintenance. Barrack services include building maintenance and rent and utility billing.
 
== Zones ==
MES currently has over six hundred stations spread across the mainland and the island territories of India to provide engineering support to various formations of the Army, Air Force, Navy and DRDO.<ref name="MES Reference1" /> The Military Engineer Services consists of the following zones:<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://mes.gov.in/zone.php|title=Military Engineer Services|website=mes.gov.in|access-date=2017-09-26}}</ref>


<center>
==Zones==
MES has over six hundred stations across India's mainland and island territories to provide engineering support to Army, Air Force and Navy formations and the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO).<ref name="MES Reference1" /> It consists of the following zones:<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://mes.gov.in/zone.php|title=Military Engineer Services|website=mes.gov.in|access-date=2017-09-26}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|CCE (ARMY) NO 1 DINJAN
|CCE (Army) No. 1 [[Dinjan]]
|CCE (ARMY) NO 2 MISSAMARI
|CCE (Army) No. 2 Missamari
|CCE (ARMY) NO 3 NARANGI
|CCE (Army) No. 3 [[Narangi]]
|-
|-
|CCE (COD) NEW DELHI
|CCE (COD) [[New Delhi]]
|CCE (NEP) CHABUA
|CCE (NEP) [[Chabua]]
|CE (AF) ALLAHABAD
|CE (AF) [[Prayagraj]]
|-
|-
|CE (AF) BANGALORE
|CE (AF) [[Bangalore]]
|CE (AF) GANDHINAGAR
|CE (AF) [[Gandhinagar]]
|CE (AF) NAGPUR
|CE (AF) [[Nagpur]]
|-
|-
|CE (AF) SHILLONG
|CE (AF) [[Shillong]]
|CE (AF) UDHAMPUR
|CE (AF) [[Udhampur]]
|CE (AF) WAC PALAM
|CE (AF) WAC PALAM
|-
|-
|CE (FY) HYDERABAD
|CE (FY) [[Hyderabad]]
|CE ANDAMAN NICOBAR ZONE
|CE [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands|Andaman & Nicobar]]
|CE BAREILLY
|CE [[Bareilly]]
|-
|-
|CE BATHINDA
|CE [[Bathinda]]
|CE BHOPAL
|CE [[Bhopal]]
|CE CHANDIGARH
|CE [[Chandigarh]]
|-
|-
|CE CHENNAI
|CE [[Chennai]]
|CE DELHI
|CE [[Delhi]]
|CE JABALPUR
|CE [[Jabalpur]]
|-
|-
|CE JAIPUR
|CE [[Jaipur]]
|CE JALANDHAR
|CE [[Jalandhar]]
|CE JODHPUR
|CE [[Jodhpur]]
|-
|-
|CE KOLKATA
|CE [[Kolkata]]
|CE LEH
|CE [[Leh]]
|CE LUCKNOW
|CE [[Lucknow]]
|-
|-
|CE NAVY KOCHI
|CE NAVY [[Kochi]]
|CE NAVY MUMBAI
|CE NAVY [[Mumbai]]
|CE NAVY VIZAG
|CE NAVY [[Visakhapatnam]]
|-
|-
|CE PATHANKOT
|CE [[Pathankot]]
|CE PUNE
|CE [[Pune]]
|CE RD DELHI
|CE RD Delhi
|-
|-
|CE RD SECUNDERABAD
|CE RD [[Secunderabad]]
|CE SE FALLS SHILLONG
|CE SE FALLS Shillong
|CE SILIGURI
|CE [[Siliguri]]
|-
|-
|CE SRINAGAR
|CE [[Srinagar]]
|CE UDHAMPUR
|CE [[Udhampur]]
|DGNP MUMBAI
|DGNP [[Mumbai]]
|-
|-
|DGNP VIZAG
|DGNP Vizag
|National War Museum and Memorial
|National War Museum and Memorial
|}
|}
<small>CE- Chief Engineer, CCE- Chief Construction Engineer, AF- Air Force</small>
<small>CE- Chief Engineer, CCE- Chief Construction Engineer, AF- Air Force</small>
</Center>


== See also ==
==See also==
* [[Indian Engineering Services]]  
* [[Indian Engineering Services]]  
* [[Union Public Service Commission|UPSC]]
* [[Union Public Service Commission|UPSC]]


== References ==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


Revision as of 04:22, 20 April 2022


Military Engineer Services
File:This is the logo for Military Engineer Services.png
Formation26 September 1923
TypeGovernment Organisation
Location
  • New Delhi
Region
India
Engineer-In-Chief
Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh
Director General (Personnel)
Mahesh Kumar Gupta, IDSE
Websitewww.mes.gov.in

The Military Engineer Services (MES) is an inter-service organisation with military and civilian components of its officers and subordinate staff. MES is one of the oldest and largest government defence infrastructure-development agencies in India. Construction work is done with contracts, but maintenance is conducted by departmentally-employed labour (DEL) and contracts.[1] MES is primarily employed in engineering and construction for the Indian Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, the Ordnance Factory Board, and the DRDO. [2] It is also involved in complex projects, including hospitals, airfields, buildings, workshops, roads, runways, hangars, dockyards, wharves, and other marine structures.[2] MES has been entrusted with the construction of the Indian National War Memorial.[3]

Indian Army Corps of Engineers officers form the MES' military component. Its civilian component consists of the Indian Defence Service Engineers (IDSE) and the Indian Defence Contract Management Service (IDCMS). The surveyor, architect and barrack/stores cadres are selected through the Indian Engineering Services and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

History

The MES, established as a construction agency, is a pillar of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army supporting engineering development for the armed forces.[4] Although it was established as a military organisation, civilians may serve as officers and support staff. The MES is one of India's largest government construction and maintenance organisations, with an annual budget of about ₹13,000 crore. It is responsible for strategic and operational infrastructure such as roads, homes, and offices for all three services and associated organisations of the Ministry of Defence.[4] MES was created and brought under control of an Engineer-in-Chief on 26 September 1923 by the Secretary of State of India, unifying Royal Corps of Engineers personnel and civilian staff. The Engineer-in-Chief advises the Ministry of Defence and its services on operational and peacetime construction activities.[4] The department is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of all Army, Navy, and Air Force infrastructure.[4] It designs works which are executed through contracts under the supervision of officers and staff (qualified civilians and Corps of Engineers officers).[4] To integrate the work, a multi-disciplinary team of civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers, architects, structural designers, quantity surveyors, and contract specialists plan, design, and supervise infrastructure assets.[4] The department's civilian staff is divided into four main categories: engineers, surveyors, architects (all qualified engineers), and administrative staff.[4]

The organisation was created over 200 years ago to maintain civilian and military infrastructure. It was part of the army as the Public Works Department (PWD), controlled by the Indian Corps of Engineers (in turn overseen by a military board), until the 18th century. The PWD was subjected to civilian control in 1851, though it remained responsible for military and civil works.[4] In 1881, the PWD's military-related works were segregated and transferred to the military department under a director general (a rank created in 1889). A 1919–1920 Army of India committee allocated military works to the quartermaster general, and sapper/miner-related works to the Chief of the General Staff. These were combined under an Engineer-in-Chief in September 1923.[4]

MES Day is celebrated on 26 September every year.[5] Its 90th anniversary was celebrated on 26 September 2012, with the theme "Cementing a Bond with Users".[5]

Forerunners

Civil and military engineering services in India began as military service. When the East India Company extended and consolidated its rule of India during the 18th and 19th centuries, the army's engineering requirements superseded those of other departments.[6]

The first group of engineers in India was formed in 1748 in the Madras Army. From 1776 to 1818, sappers and miners existed in the Bengal Army; they were organised on 19 February 1819 in six companies.[7] On 1 April 1862, they were combined with the Royal Engineers of the British Indian Army.[7]

As conditions stabilised, the Public Works Department was formed under a military board staffed by members of the Indian Corps of Engineers and was military in character.[6] As civil works became more important, civil engineers were increasingly employed and provincial governments became dissatisfied with military control of civilian works.[6] The Public Works Department came under civilian control in 1851, with no separate department for military works. Due to an 1860 increase in civil works, many civil engineers were engaged and the military began to lose control of its works.[7] The Special Military Works Branch of the Public Works Department was given responsibility for major works by 1871, and was placed under military control ten years later.[7] In 1889, the Military Works Department was responsible for all military works; entirely military in nature by 1899, it was staffed by Royal Engineers.[7] The organisation was first renamed "Military Works Services" and then renamed "Military Engineer Services" in 1923.[7]

The senior Royal Engineer officer was known as the Director-General of Public Works until 1921, when the position's title was changed to Director of Works.[7] On 4 December 1923, the position of Engineer in Chief was created to control both branches of military engineers (sappers, miners and combat troops and the Military Engineer Services).[7]

Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE)

The Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE) is an engineering service which is the backbone of armed-forces infrastructure. Engineers are selected through the Indian Engineering Services examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Initially posted as assistant directors (staff appointments) or assistant garrison engineers (executive appointments), they are promoted to director general (personnel).

Military officers (Corps of Engineers)

Corps of Engineers officers and military junior engineers and clerical staff form the MES' military cadre.

Indian Defence Contract Management Service

The Indian Defence Contract Management Service (IDCMS) is a civil service of the government of India. The IDCMS is a gazetted group of civilian officers under the Ministry of Defence which is responsible for all financial matters, including procurement, tendering, contract management, dispute resolution, arbitration, and quantity surveying.[8]

MES hierarchy
Grade Rank Designation Basic Salary per Months
Junior Time Scale Assistant Executive Engineer Assistant Director ₹56,100
Senior Time Scale Executive Engineer Deputy Director ₹67,700
Senior Time Scale (Non-functional) Executive Engineer (NFSG) Joint Director ₹78,800
Junior Administrative Grade (Functional) Superintending Engineer Director ₹123,100
Senior Administrative Grade Chief Engineer Joint Director-General ₹144,200
Higher Administrative Grade Additional Director General ADG Arbitration ₹182,200[citation needed]

Cadres

Architect-cadre officers, responsible for producing architectural drawings of buildings and other structures, are posted as deputy architects and promoted to additional director general (Arch.) The barrack-service cadre is as old as MES, although it remained under the control of its respective station commanders before independence. The Barrack Organisation (BO) was introduced in 1946 to develop a barrack department patterned on that of the British Army and eventually place it under the Indian Army Service Corps. Special Army Order 5/S/48 was issued, authorising the establishment of the Barrack Service by the MES. After a 1949 review, a Memorandum of Procedure, Organisation, and Duties of Barrack Services was issued in July of that year. Barrack Services was given responsibility for revenue duties,[clarification needed] and billing was transferred from the station commander to the BO. The Barrack & Store Branch provides barrack services in addition to procuring, accounting, stocking and preserving, and issuing stores for works and maintenance. Barrack services include building maintenance and rent and utility billing.

Zones

MES has over six hundred stations across India's mainland and island territories to provide engineering support to Army, Air Force and Navy formations and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).[4] It consists of the following zones:[3]

CCE (Army) No. 1 Dinjan CCE (Army) No. 2 Missamari CCE (Army) No. 3 Narangi
CCE (COD) New Delhi CCE (NEP) Chabua CE (AF) Prayagraj
CE (AF) Bangalore CE (AF) Gandhinagar CE (AF) Nagpur
CE (AF) Shillong CE (AF) Udhampur CE (AF) WAC PALAM
CE (FY) Hyderabad CE Andaman & Nicobar CE Bareilly
CE Bathinda CE Bhopal CE Chandigarh
CE Chennai CE Delhi CE Jabalpur
CE Jaipur CE Jalandhar CE Jodhpur
CE Kolkata CE Leh CE Lucknow
CE NAVY Kochi CE NAVY Mumbai CE NAVY Visakhapatnam
CE Pathankot CE Pune CE RD Delhi
CE RD Secunderabad CE SE FALLS Shillong CE Siliguri
CE Srinagar CE Udhampur DGNP Mumbai
DGNP Vizag National War Museum and Memorial

CE- Chief Engineer, CCE- Chief Construction Engineer, AF- Air Force

See also

References

  1. ↑ "MES | Department Of Defence". mod.gov.in. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "About Us | Military Engineer Services| Military Engineer Services, Government of India". mes.gov.in. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Military Engineer Services". mes.gov.in. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 "Defence Ministry Abolishes 9,304 Military Engineering Services Posts". outlookindia.com. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "MES Day". Armed Forces Panorama. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Estimates Committee 1957-1958 Twenty-Fifth Report (Second Lok Sabha) (PDF) (Report). April 1958. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 "Compendium of MES Routine Instructions - 2008" (PDF). www.mes.org.bd. July 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ↑ "IDCMS Officers". Indian Defence Contract Management Service Officers Association. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Military_Engineer_Services_(India)&oldid=325184"