Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 21The Ministry of Defence today came out in support of the ‘sahayak system’ in the Army saying the role of a Sahayak was clearly defined in military duties and forms an integral part of the organisation structure of a unit and had specific functions during war and peace.During operations in field areas, he and the officer/JCO act as buddies in arms. One covers the movement of the other buddy and protects him in operations where support has to be total, whether mental or physical or moral.A sahayak, in addition to his normal soldier’s tasks, provides essential support to officers/JCOs both in peace and war, which enables them to fully attend to their assigned duties. The buddy also provides an alternate contact with the troops, whereby the officer is made aware of grassroots issues, albeit through informal means.The rapport between officers and the buddies has led to enhancement of the spirit-de-corps in a unit, which is vital during war and peace. As such, this is not expected to have any adverse impact on their morale, the ministry said.