It gives me immense pleasure in inaugurating the Web site for MAP Directorate, the first step towards MAPAutomation. This being the show window of an organization in its nascent stages, a modest attempt has been made to highlight the milestones achieved and future plans, for the information of the users and the environment.

This directorate was raised on 31 May 2002, subsequent to the honorable Prime Minister's announcement on 15 Aug 2001 to make up 100% deficiency of married accommodation for the defense services. With an aim to construct three lac houses in a time bound manner, strategies were worked out at various levels. After many a hiccup, we have been able to make some headway and are now looking ahead in our pursuit of excellence.

By adopting innovative management techniques, sheer hard work and dedication of my team of officers and subordinate staff, we have been able to forge ahead and break some of the shackles of procedural delays and the initial fog of uncertainties.

In keeping with the pace of technology and moving towards reduction in paper work and to offset the manpower deficiency, information technology is being harnessed for utilization to the fullest extent. Some work has been done in this direction and a lot more is underway.

Our march towards achievement of the goal remains focused, though gradual. I thank the E-in-C for his unstinted support without which the progress made in the recent months would not have been possible. I congratulate all officers and subordinates of HQ DG MAP, for their dedicated efforts in achieving the ardent tasks.