Air Commodore Edwin Peter (3667) Accounts was commissioned in the Air Force in 1949. During his tenure at Air Headquarters as Deputy Director of Accounts from 1968 to 1972, he streamlined the organisation and procedure of accounting services. He established three separate imprests for Air Headquarters which brought accounting services closer to the place of work thereby saving several man/transport hours. The effective measures he suggested as leader of the study team on causes and cures for the delay in the finalisation of non-effective benefits, have speeded up the final settlement of accounts and the airmen are now able to get their pensionary benefits from the very month of their discharge. In recognition of these services, he was commended by the Chief of the Air Staff.

In 1972, he was appointed Officer Commanding, Air Force Central Accounts Office. During the period of his stewardship of this unit, he introduced several innovations and improvements in its various departments. He restructured the procedure for operating Provident Fund Accounts which ensured prompt payment of loans, final withdrawals and final balances. He centralised a large number policies from all over the country at Delhi and devised and implemented a procedure for their direct servicing by the Air Force Central Accounts Office for the recovery of LIC premium of Flying Branch Officers.

As Director of Financial Planning at Air Headquarters since early 1975, he meticulously processed the various financial projections in the Air Force Plan. Soon after his taking over the post, APEX , Planning Group II was formed and, though new to the field, he was able to produce, with remarkable speed and accuracy, the innumerable financial statements required during its deliberations. The entire exercise to revise the plan on the basis of the APEX II report was completed under his guidance and supervision. The sixth Five Year Plan for the Air Force was drafted by him in 1977. He had to present to the Ministries of Defence and Finance a number of financial statements and arguments in finalising the draft plan.

His efforts to understand and tackle the complex fund requirements of HAL has brought about better mutual understanding of the problems of planning and budgeting for the HAL. In the field of Cost Accounting, he has extended the flying hour costing to all types of aircraft. In the area of training, in addition to costing of all regular courses in training institutions, he has undertaken and completed ad hoc costing of all courses conducted in non­training institutions. In regard to costing in Base Repair Depots, he spearheaded a Pilot Study in the field.

Air Commodore Peter has been serving as Chairman of the Air Force Sports Control Board since 1st March, 1978 and has also been the PMC of Central Vista Mess. In looking after these extra curriculum jobs, he has shown commendable management skill and efficiency. By his hard work and devotion to duty, he has managed to perform these additional tasks without affecting his primary duties.

Air Commodore Edwin Peter has rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.