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Defence officers: new promotion policy

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister A.K. Antony has approved a new promotion policy for officers in the armed forces which seeks to eliminate the possibility of bias or vendetta in the selection process.

As the three Services have a pyramidical structure, there is intense competition for posts which become fewer with seniority, and this leads to fierce jockeying and heartburn among those left out.

The existing policy awarded 80 marks on the basis of the annual confidential report (ACRs) and the remaining were ‘discretionary’ marks. The new policy will award 95 per cent marks on the basis of performance-related criteria, including ACRs, courses attended and gallantry awards. Significantly, points earned by winning awards for valour were in the discretionary section which some feel led to gallant and decorated officers missing out on promotions.

The Ministry feels that one immediate impact of the policy would be a reduction in the number of officers approaching courts. In one case, the Army had to rebut charges made by a Lt. General rank officer.

The policy also lays down strict guidelines for considering promotion cases of tainted officers. The misdemeanours identified for denial of promotions, even though the officer might figure in the merit list, include moral turpitude, acts of cowardice, conduct unbecoming of an officer which reflects on the moral fibre of officers, negative fibre traits and poor performance in operational situations.

As Mr. Antony observed before directing the framing of a new policy: “I would like the procedure of promotions board to be more transparent and objective. Each case of relaxation or otherwise should have sufficient justification which must be clearly brought out. Objective norms for promotion and conduct of board process should be laid down .”

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