Our Correspondent

Jaipur, July 19

On the issue of changing the 200-year-old British-established military ranks’ nomenclature, the South Western Army Commander GOC-in-Chief Lt General Cherish Mathson on Thursday said there was a review going on and nothing has been decided yet though “we are all to offer our recommendations to the army”.”It is a process that has started, and as and when its decided, it will be promulgated in Army,” Mathson told media at high tea after inaugurating a two-day “Defence Correspondents Course” here. Asked about cadre review, especially of Colonel to Major General at the time of retirement, he said, “It is just a thought process at this moment. It is under a deliberation state. We are to offer our recommendations. Let it come to a shape.” Recently, in defence circles in Delhi, an Indian Army internal note said the minimum rank for officers at the time of retirement should be Major General. It has suggested the number of regular commissioned officers to be reduced, the rank of Brigadier be done away with while quicker promotions be given to all officers.On Army’s idea of abolishing cantonments mooted recently, the Commander said, “I do not think there would be any problem in it. Many areas in Nasirabad and Ambala have been exercised for the use of the civilians. I am very much in favour-that is what highest level has considered.”On stone-pelting incidents in Kashmir, Lt Gen Mathson said the forces could not reply to stone throwers and it is the civil administration and the government’s responsibility to control this. Though this has been brought under control now, he claimed.On enemy country’s social media warfare against India on borders, he said the younger generation has got an inclination toward such fake news, views or messages. “Very important thing is that we should all identify such fake news affecting us. We need to control it on social media too.”