Sanjha Morcha

BJP Govt Created Chief Of Defence Staff Post Without Addressing Several Fundamental Questions: MANISH TEWARI

Will the CDS as Permanent Chairperson of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee outrank the three service Chiefs even though theoretically all are four-star officers?’ Congress MP Manish Tewari.

BJP Govt Created Chief Of Defence Staff Post Without Addressing Several Fundamental Questions

File photo of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff and former Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat.

On December 30, 2019, the BJP-led NDA government announced the appointment of the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). With this appointment, a new institution has been created not only in the Ministry of Defence, but also in the Indian Republic.  This may well have Constitutional implications.

In order to fully appreciate the importance of this decision one needs to look at history.  Between 1861-1947, there were 20 Commanders-in-Chief of the Army in India or the British Indian Army as it was then called. The Headquarters of the Army in India — AHQ India– shifted to Delhi in 1911 when the capital moved from Calcutta to Delhi. During summer, some components of the headquarters would further move up to Shimla, concurrently with the colonial government as the imperialists could not stomach the Delhi heat.

At the commencement of the Second World War, the AHQ was re-designated as the General Headquarters –GHQ India Command. GHQ India remained in actuality up till August 15, 1947.  It was disbanded upon the partition of undivided India. A new headquarter of the Pakistan Army was formed out of the Northern Command of the Army in India, and a new headquarter of the Indian Army took over the HQ in Delhi. Field Marshal Auchinleck, the last Commander-in-Chief of the Army in India, was appointed as the Supreme Commander of the Army in India and Pakistan to transfer responsibilities to the new armies, and to organize the withdrawal of British Army units, former officers and men of the British Indian Army.

On August 15, 1947, both India and Pakistan assumed operational control over their respective Armed Forces. From August 15, Auchinleck was re-designated as the Supreme Commander in order to avoid abstruseness with the new Commanders-in-Chief of the two Dominion states. Vide the Joint Defence Council Order of August 11, 1947, Auchinleck was vested with limited authority. He had no responsibility for law and order or operational control over any units except those in transit from one Dominion to another. Even in the exercise of his limited authority he was dependent on co-operation of the two Dominions. Although he represented a legally constituted authority, his position was at best tenuous.

The office of the Supreme Commander attained quietus on December 1, 1947 upon the formal retirement of Field Marshal Auchinleck. Major General L. G. Whistler was appointed the General Officer Commanding British Troops in India in 1947 and remained in the saddle until the last British unit — the 1 Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry -Prince Albert’s –left on February 28, 1948. The 2nd Battalion — The Black Watch -Royal Highland Regiment — was the last British Army unit to leave Pakistan on February 26, 1948.

The position of the chief of the Indian Army was also known as Commander-in-Chief from 1947–1955. There were four officers who served in this position. However, in 1955, a conscious decision was taken by the government and this designation was renamed as the Chief of the Army Staff. General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja was the last Commander-in-Chief and the first Chief of the Army Staff  of the Indian Army.

It may be pertinent to note that while the Army Chief was called the Commander-in- Chief till 1955, the designation was limited to the Indian Army and Air force and the Navy continued to be headed by their respective commanders.

Sixty-four years later, on December 24, 2019, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) put out a press release about the Cabinet clearing the appointment of a CDS. The communiqué inter-alia stated: “The following areas will be dealt by the Department of Military Affairs headed by CDS: The Armed Forces of the Union, namely, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence comprising Army Headquarters, Naval Headquarters, Air Headquarters and Defence Staff Headquarters. The Territorial Army. Works relating to the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. Procurement exclusive to the Services except capital acquisitions, as per prevalent rules and procedures”.

It further read that “The Chief of Defence Staff, apart from being the head of the Department of Military Affairs, will also be the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. He will act as the Principal Military Adviser to Raksha Mantri on all tri-Services matters. The three Chiefs will continue to advise RM on matters exclusively concerning their respective Services. CDS will not exercise any military command, including over the three Service Chiefs, so as to be able to provide impartial advice to the political leadership”.

Herein lies the contradiction. As Secretary to Government of India (GoI), in-charge of the Department of Military Affairs and having superintendence over the Army, Navy and Air Force, there would be an implied subordination of the three service chiefs to the CDS notwithstanding any declaration to the contrary. Moreover, the President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Article 53 (2) of the Indian Constitution declares: “Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, the supreme command of the Defence Forces of the Union shall be vested in the President and the exercise thereof shall be regulated by law”.  What then would the position of the CDS be qua the Supreme Commander – the President of India? There are also other questions that need to be looked at.

What implications does the nomenclature Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister qua the three service chiefs have in relation to Military advise tendered to the government? Will the advise of the CDS override the advise of the respective Service Chiefs as he heads the newly created Department of Military Affairs? Will the CDS as Permanent Chairperson of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee outrank the three service Chiefs even though theoretically all are four-star officers? Would the three Chiefs now report to the Defence Minister through Defence Secretary or CDS? In theory, the service chiefs report directly to the Defence Minister while in practice all files and decisions are routed through the Defence Secretary.

What will be the position of CDS qua the Defence Secretary? Would the Defence Secretary, in terms of Rule eleven of Transaction of Business Rules, continue to be the administrative head of the Defence Ministry? What is the remit/ mandate  of the proposed Department of Military Affairs? Would the CDS override the Service Chiefs with regard to operational command and control of tri-service agencies and organizations. And finally, what are the implications of the appointment of a CDS for Civil Military Relations? The last part is profoundly serious, for the singular success of India going back to 1947 has been the supremacy of the civilian leadership over the Military even in military matters.

For all the reasons that have been articulated by the Kargil Review Committee, Group of Ministers that went into the report of the Review Committee to make its own recommendations, and subsequently the Naresh Chandra Committee , all of whom looked at higher Defence Management issues, there still remain a lot of grey areas as far as the institution of the Chief of Defence Staff is concerned. Are we down another portentous path?

(The author is a lawyer, MP, Member of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Defence, and former Information and Broadcasting Minister, GoI. Views expressed are personal.)


Govt started on wrong foot on CDS appointment: Minish Tewari . Anadpur Shaib(Pb) MP

Govt started on wrong foot on CDS appointment: Congress

Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 31

The Congress on Tuesday questioned the appointment of General Bipin Rawat as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), accusing the government of starting on a “wrong foot” on the issue.

In a series of Twitter posts, former minister and Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari asked a range of questions about the appointment.

“With great regret and fullest of responsibility may I say that the Government has started on a very wrong foot with regard to CDS. Time alone unfortunately will reveal the implications of this decision,” Tewari said.

He asked if the CDS will override the service chief’s with regard tri-service agencies and organisations and also asked what would be the implications of the appointment on Civil-Military relations.

Manish Tewari

 

@ManishTewari

1/3 What will be the position of CDS qua Defense Secretary?Would the Defense Secretary in terms of Rule 11 of Transaction of Business Rules continue to be the administrative head of the Defense Ministry ?What is the remit/ mandate of the proposed Department of Military Affairs?

Manish Tewari

 

@ManishTewari

1/4 Would the CDS overide the Service Chief’s with regard tri Service agencies and organisations
What are the implications of the appointment of a CDS on Civil Military Relations- the equilibrium of which has beenIndia’s singular Success since 1947?Are we down a portentous path?

“The civil military relations – the equilibrium of which has been India’s singular Success since 1947…how will that be impacted? Are we down a portentous path?” Tewari asked.

The Congress leader’s next question was — What will be the position of CDS qua the Defence Secretary?

“Would the Defence Secretary in terms of Rule 11 of Transaction of Business Rules continue to be the administrative head of the Defence Ministry? What is the remit and mandate of the proposed Department of Military Affairs?”

Tewari also asked if the CDS could override the advice of the respective Service Chiefs and will the CDS as Permanent Chairperson of Joint Chief’s of Staff Committee outrank the three service Chief’s?

“Would the three Chief’s report to Defence Minister through Defence Secretary or through CDS now?” Congress leader asked.

He also sought to know why is the appointment of a CDS is fraught with difficulties and ambiguities.

“What implications does nomenclature Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister have in relation to the three service chief’s in terms of Military advice tendered to the government?” he asked.


General Mukund Naravane takes charge as new Army chief

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New Delhi, December 31

General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday took over as the 28th Chief of Army Staff, helming the 1.3 million-strong force at a time India faces evolving security challenges such as cross-border terrorism and an assertive Chinese military along the border.

Gen Naravane, who was serving as vice chief of the Army, succeeds Gen Bipin Rawat, appointed the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff, a post created to bring in operational convergence among the three services.

As Army chief, Gen Naravane’s priorities are expected to be to implement long-pending reforms of the Army, contain cross-border terrorism in Kashmir and bolster the operational capabilities of the force along the northern border where China has been ramping up its military infrastructure in Tibet.

Before being appointed vice chief, the alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy headed the Army’s Eastern Command that takes care of India’s nearly 4,000-km border with China.

With Gen Naravane taking charge, all the three services heads, including Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria, are now from the 56th course of the National Defence Academy.

In his 37 years of service, Gen Naravane served in numerous command and staff appointments in peace, field and highly active counter-insurgency environments in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

He also commanded a Rashtriya Rifles battalion in Jammu and Kashmir and an infantry brigade on the eastern front. Besides, he was part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka and served as India’s defence attache at the Indian Embassy in Myanmar for three years.

He was commissioned into the 7th battalion, the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in June 1980.

The general is a decorated officer who has been awarded the ‘Sena Medal’ (Distinguished) for effectively commanding his battalion in Jammu and Kashmir.

He is also a recipient of the ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ for his services as the Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) in Nagaland and the ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal’ for commanding of a prestigious strike corps.

The outgoing Army chief thanked all the army personnel and their families for extending full support to him in his three year tenure.

After a farewell Guard of Honour, Gen Rawat, who paid respects to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial, also expressed the hope that the Army will rise to greater heights under its new chief.

Asked whether the Army is better prepared now to face the security challenges facing the country he said, “Yes, we are better prepared.”

“I express my gratitude to all soldiers who have stood steadfast under challenging circumstances, performing their duties, keeping the traditions of our armed forces. My special compliments to our soldiers on northern, western and eastern borders who are braving tough winter and icy winds, steadfastly in guarding our country,” he told reporters. —PTI

 


Country’s first Chief of Defence Staff’s olive green uniform to represent 3 services

Country's first Chief of Defence Staff’s olive green uniform to represent 3 services

New Delhi, December 31

General Bipin Rawat, who will take charge as the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff on Wednesday, will wear a new uniform specifically designed for the newly-created post.

The colour of the uniform will remain olive green but it will have all components of the three services’ uniforms.

“The colour of CDS uniform will represent the parent service,” said a senior Ministry of Defence official.

The insignia has two crossed swords, an eagle and an anchor and above it stands an Ashok symbol.

The cap of the Chief of Defence Staff will be different with badges and accomplishments to represent the three services.

In place of baton on the shoulder to signify the ranks, there will be a maroon patch with anchor, sword and eagle representing all three services.

The service ribbons on the chest will remain as it is but the uniform will not have a lanyard.

The Chief of Defence Staff’s residence would be at 3, Kamraj Marg.

Earlier on Tuesday, General Rawat relinquished the post of Army Chief and handed over charge to General M.M. Naravane.

Before demitting office General Rawat said: “During my three years’ tenure as Chief of Army Staff, I can say, we focused more on weapon modernisation, force restructuring and non-contact warfare.” On Sunday, the Ministry of Defence amended Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force rules. As per amended rules, CDS or tri-service chief will be able to serve till the age of 65.

As per existing government rules, the three service chiefs can serve up to the age of 62 or for three years, whichever is earlier.

The Union Cabinet on December 24 approved the Chief of Defence Staff’s (CDS) post and its charter and duties. The CDS will be a 4-star general who will head the new Department of Military Affairs. — IANS


General Bipin Rawat retires as Army Chief, begins as Chief of Defence Staff

As CDS, General Rawat will have to facilitate restructuring of military commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through establishment of joint/ theatre commands.

General Bipin Rawat retires as Army Chief, begins as Chief of Defence Staff

On Saturday, government had notified that the age of retirement for the CDS will be 65 years; General Rawat will turn 65 in March 2023 — if he continues till then, it will be a tenure of 3 years and 3 months. (PTI Photo)

A day before his retirement as Army Chief, the government Monday appointed General Bipin Rawat as the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a post meant to enhance the quality of military advice to the political leadership through integration of service inputs.

General Rawat will take over the duties of CDS from December 31, his last day in office as Army Chief. The official press release does not specify a time-bound tenure for General Rawat, stating that he will continue “until further orders and extension in service… with effect from 31.12.2019 and till such period he holds the office of CDS”.

READ | Appointment of CDS is a crucial step towards achieving seamless coordination in higher defence management

On Saturday, government had notified that the age of retirement for the CDS will be 65 years; General Rawat will turn 65 in March 2023 — if he continues till then, it will be a tenure of 3 years and 3 months.

General Rawat, who took over as Army Chief on December 31, 2016 after superseding two officers senior to him, was widely tipped to be the first appointee to the post of CDS after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of the post during his Independence Day speech from Red Fort on August 15. He will act as the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on tri-services matters, but will not exercise any military command, including over the three service chiefs.

READ | CDS: Govt notifies retirement age at 65

On December 24, the Union Cabinet had given sanction to creation of the post of CDS, and his role and charter in the government. He will be an officer of four-star rank at par with the three service chiefs. He would be responsible for achieving  “jointness in operation, logistics, transport, training, support services, communications, repairs and maintenance of the three services” within three years of assuming office.

He will head the newly created Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in the Ministry of Defence. Work exclusively pertaining to military matters will fall within the purview of the DMA, while the Department of Defence will deal with larger issues pertaining to defence of the country. The three defence services will fall under the ambit of DMA.

As CDS, General Rawat will have to facilitate restructuring of military commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through establishment of joint/ theatre commands.

As per the Cabinet decision, the CDS will also serve as the permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) which comprises the three service chiefs. So far, the chairmanship of the COSC has not been permanent and is held in rotation by the most senior service chief, which has caused problems of inadequate attention and short tenures of chairman, COSC.

General Rawat was commissioned in the Gorkha regiment in 1978, after being awarded the Sword of Honour at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He commanded an infantry battalion along the Line of Actual Control with China, and a Rashtriya Rifles sector in Kashmir as a Brigadier. He commanded an infantry division in Kashmir and a corps in Eastern Command, before serving as the Southern Army Commander and the Vice Chief of Army Staff.

His tenure as Army Chief has seen an attempt to modernise the Army’s way of warfighting by bringing in the concept of integrated battle groups for warfare. He has restructured the Army headquarters and made recommendations for reforming and restructuring the Army, which are yet to be fully implemented. He has seen the standoff with Chinese Army at Doklam and a very active Line of Control with Pakistan where ceasefire violations have reached an all-time high.

His tenure also coincided with a period of reduced allocations for Army’s modernisation and a deteriorating security situation in Kashmir. He has also been in controversy a few times after making political statements which have been criticised by Opposition parties.


Hope Army will rise to greater heights under the new Army chief: Gen Bipin Rawat

Hope Army will rise to greater heights under the new Army chief: Gen Bipin Rawat

Gen Bipin Rawat takes guard of honour in New Delhi on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui

New Delhi, December 31

Outgoing Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Tuesday thanked all army personnel and their families for extending full support to him in his three-year tenure at the helm of the 1.3-million force.

After a farewell Guard of Honour, Gen Rawat also hoped Army would rise to greater heights under the new chief Lt Gen MM Naravane.

When asked wether the Army is better prepared now to face the security challenges facing the country, he said: “Yes, we are better prepared.”

Gen Rawat who interacted with mediapersons after receiving the Guard of Honour in the forecourt of the South Block also paid respects to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial on a chilly winter day.

“I express my gratitude to all soldiers who have stood steadfast under challenging circumstances, performing their duties, keeping the traditions of our armed forces. My special compliment to our soldiers on northern, western and eastern borders who are braving tough winter and icy winds, steadfastly in guarding our country,” Gen Rawat said.

Gen Rawat also congratulated Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane who will shortly take charge as the 28th chief of Army Staff.

“I convey my best to each and every rank and file of Indian Army. I also congratulate Gen Naravane on being the next Army chief. He is a very competent and capable officer. Gen Naravane through his competence and professionalism will take Army to greater heights,” Gen Rawat said.

Gen Rawat, who has been appointed India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, will helm the newly created department of military affairs. The tri-service agencies, organisations and commands relating to cyber and space will be under the command of the CDS, and he will also function as the Military Adviser to the Nuclear Command Authority.

Asked about his priorities as the CDS, he said, “I totally focused on my job as a chief of Army Staff. I will think about my next job after I assume the next office.”

Gen Rawat assumed charge as chief of Army Staff on December 31, 2016 and retires from the post after a distinguished career.

Before becoming the Army chief, he handled various operational responsibilities in many areas, including along the LoC with Pakistan, the LAC with China and in the northeast. PTI


MES officer moves SC panel, alleges harassment in inquiry

handigarh, December 30

A senior officer of the Military Engineer Service has moved the National Commission for Scheduled Castes alleging harassment and discrimination on part of the military authorities over the conduct of disciplinary proceedings.

In his complaint before the commission, DL Bajalia, an Indian Defence Service of Engineers cadre officer, posted as director at Jalandhar, has averred that he was being implicated as he had banned a couple of private firms dealing with the MES over irregularities committed by them in connivance with an Army officer when he was posted as Commander Works Engineer at Jabalpur.

Bajalia has contended that a Technical Board of Officers (TBO), held to investigate lapses, which blamed him with generalised remarks for failures in superintendence and not exercising due diligence in vigilance administration, did not give him any opportunity.

In 2018, a Court of Inquiry (COI) was ordered, and based upon its findings, the Army officer was absolved but action was recommended against two JCOs. In addition, five MES civilian officials, who were called as witnesses, were issued show-cause notices.

Contending that a COI is applicable only to military personnel under the Army Act, Bajalia has averred that civilian employees are governed by the Central Civil Service Rules and under the MoD policy in vogue, any culpability of civilian MES staff cannot be investigated by a COI. He has also pointed out that the CoI in this case did not have technical officers as was required. — TNS


he Pakistan army is showing its true colours

The Pakistan army is showing its true coloursIt is back to showcasing its ties with terror groups. This is ominous news for India

Disturbing evidence has emerged recently of growing public contact between top Pakistani army and security officers and representatives of jihadi groups. This suggests the Pakistani military establishment is not serious, if at all it ever was, about severing its ties with such organisations. Last week, Major General Asif Ghafoor, the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations, the military’s media arm, visited the hardline Jamia Rashidia seminary while on a trip to Karachi with the army chief, General Qamar Bajwa.

Images and videos have since emerged of General Ghafoor being feted like a rock star and addressing the seminary’s students. For most terror-watchers, Jamia Rashidia is best known for its links to Jaish-e-Mohammed and the 2002 murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. There are also images of officers of the Pakistan Rangers hobnobbing with Aurangzeb Farooqi, head of the outlawed Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), accused of having a hand in the killing of hundreds of members of Pakistan’s Shia minority.

Over the past two years, the Pakistani military had apparently cut down on such contacts — or if they did happen, at least, they didn’t happen publicly — largely because of the stern message from Western capitals and bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that Islamabad must take credible, verifiable and irreversible action to counter terrorism and its funding. It now appears the Pakistani military no longer wants to even go through the motions of pretending it has been working to snap its ties with such proscribed organisations. The portends for a country such as India, always at the receiving end of Pakistan-backed terror, are ominous.


A leader not afraid of tough calls, challenging status quo

A leader not afraid of tough calls, challenging status quo

Rahul Singh

rahul.singh@hindustantimes.com

NEW DELHI : From leading the United Nations peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to initiating the biggest exercise to restructure the army to closely supervising India’s two publicly acknowledged strikes on foreign soil, Bipin Rawat brings enormous experience to the table as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

Those who have known the 61-year-old general for several decades say Rawat thinks outside the box, takes hard decisions, and is not afraid of challenging the status quo.

When Rawat took charge of the UN’s North Kivu Brigade in DRC 11 years ago, things weren’t going too well for the world’s costliest peacekeeping mission, known by its French acronym MONUC. Rawat reworked the velvet-glove strategy to an iron fist within a month of his arrival in 2008, frequently authorising the use of attack helicopters to strafe positions held by rebel groups responsible for recruiting child soldiers, displacing millions of people, and civilian deaths.

Under Rawat’s leadership, the Indian brigade saved a key Congolese province from being overrun by rebels. Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye, the then Force Commander of the UN mission in the Congo, wrote in the commendation awarded to Rawat that it was due to his “leadership, courage and experience” that North Kivu’s capital Goma never fell, the country’s eastern region was stabilised and the main rebel group was forced to come to the negotiating table.

“General Rawat is extremely hardworking and bold in pursuing the organisation’s objectives. He has the ability to think differently and take tough decisions without bothering about the accompanying criticism,” said Lieutenant General BS Sandhu (retd), who has known Rawat for almost 45 years and was his course mate at the Khadakwasla-based National Defence Academy (NDA).

Son of a three-star general, Rawat was commissioned into the army in December 1978 after graduating from the Dehradun-based Indian Military Academy where he was awarded the coveted Sword of Honour for exceptional performance. He was commissioned into the 5/11 Gorkha Rifles.

The National Democratic Alliance government superseded two top generals — Lieutenant Generals Praveen Bakshi and PM Hariz — to appoint him army chief exactly three years ago on December 31, 2016. Rawat’s experience in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-east tipped the scales in his favour.

“General Rawat is the rare amalgam of intellect and hard work. He is extremely upright and fair,” said Lieutenant General Rakesh Sharma (retd), who was Rawat’s commanding officer in the late 1990s. Sharma, who retired as the army’s adjutant general in March 2017, was also the aide-de-camp to Rawat’s father, Lieutenant General LS Rawat, in the early 1980s.

Rawat was closely involved in the planning of the army’s surgical strikes in Myanmar in 2015 followed by targeted operations against terror pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir a year later.

In his three-year term as army chief, Rawat courted controversies on several occasions — his recent comments that were widely seen as being aimed at the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests across India; awarding the Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation card to Major Leetul Gogoi (who bound a Kashmiri civilian to the front of his jeep); and his position on the disability pension.

“He may have courted controversies a few times with his comments but he is an outstanding soldier and military leader. He is very outspoken too. If you ask him a question, he will give you an answer,” said a senior officer, asking not to be named.

General Rawat is behind a mammoth restructuring drill, based on four comprehensive studies led by topmost generals, which could change the complexion and direction of the 1.2 million- strong army and transform it into a deadlier fighting machine fully prepared for future wars.

The implementation of the four studies in their totality will reduce troops (by about 100,000), allow the army to tap technological advances in warfare, create integrated brigades that can be mission-deployed swiftly, improve the army’s tooth-to-tail ratio and enhance career prospects for officer and men.s


Chief of Defence StaffGen Rawat I

India’s 1st Chief of Defence StaffMilitary reforms He will act as adviser to govt on matters related to tri-services
 

Bipin Rawat and President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday. PTI

FIRST AMONG EQUALS

General Bipin Rawat, as Chief of Defence Staff, will head the department of military affairs and will be the permanent chairman of the chiefs of staff committee

THE FIRST CDS

Bipin Rawat was commissioned into the army in 1978 after graduating from Indian Military Academy where he was awarded the Sword of Honour. He was commissioned into the 5/11 Gorkha Rifles p12

Rahul Singh

rahul.singh@hindustantimes.com

New Delhi : The Union government on Monday announced that General Bipin Rawat will be India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), heading the newly created department of military affairs and acting as the principal military adviser to the defence minister on all matters related to the tri-services, an announcement that came a day before his retirement as the Indian Army chief.

The development, perhaps the most significant reform in top military management in India, comes four months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in his Independence Day speech the creation of the post for more effective coordination between the three armed forces. Rawat will take over as CDS on Tuesday.

The creation of a CDS was suggested almost two decades ago by the Kargil Review Committee (KRC) in February 2000.

“Government has decided to appoint General Bipin Rawat… as the Chief of Defence Staff with effect from 31.12.2019 and until further orders and extension in service of General Bipin Rawat… with effect from 31.12.2019 and till such period he holds the office of CDS,” an official statement said.

As CDS, Rawat will have the same salary and perquisites as the three service chiefs (who are also four-star officers). Apart from heading the department of military affairs, Rawat will also hold the charge of permanent chairman, chiefs of staff committee (CoSC).

“Chief of the Defence Staff shall pursue greater coordination amongst the three Services and ensure unison in employment of military power in line with the dynamic security requirement,” the Indian Army’s Twitter handle said.

Until now, the chairmanship of the committee, which consists of the three service chiefs, was held in rotation by the senior-most service chief for brief periods and the arrangement was found to be unsatisfactory.

Though the government has said the CDS will not exercise any military command, including over the three service chiefs, it is expected that Rawat will be the “first among equals”, also because he is senior to all the other chiefs in terms of service. Experts said Rawat will have his work cut out to fulfil his wide-ranging mandate.

Admiral Arun Prakash, who retired as navy chief and chairman, CoSC, in October 2006, said the principal challenge for the country’s first CDS will be to integrate the armed forces into the government edifice to enable them to participate fully in decision-making.

“Another challenge would be to integrate the department of military affairs with the department of defence. He will have to work out an arrangement for cross-postings — civilians and uniformed personnel — between the two wings of the defence ministry.

He will also have to integrate the acquisition requirements of the three services and groom people to take over theatre commands in future,” said Prakash, who was the commander-in-chief of India’s first tri-services command at Port Blair. He headed the Andaman and Nicobar Command during 2001-02.

HIS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

UN peacekeeping efforts in DR Congo: Under his leadership, Indian brigade saved a key Congolese province from being overrun by rebels

2015 Myanmar surgical strikes: Supervised a cross-border operation against insurgents belonging to NSCN-K

2016 PoK surgical strikes: Supervised strikes against militant launch pads in PoK after the Uri attack

Army restructure: He is the brain behind a mammoth drill that could change the army’s complexion and direction and transform it into a deadlier fighting machine