The Army is now actively considering recruiting civilian staff in peace stations to do away with the colonial-era Sakayak system, in the wake of rising cases of jawans coming out openly against it.
A top Army official, however, said the Sahayaks or buddy system — whereby a solider is attached to officers — will continue to be deployed in key bases and field areas as they have defined military duties.
“We are looking at getting civilian staff to replace Sahayaks in peace stations,” the official said.
Angry videos
In the recent months, a number of videos had surfaced where some jawans were seen voicing their anger over the Sahayak system with some even alleging that they are treated as servants by the officers whom they are attached to.
The official said the option of deploying civilian staff at peace stations instead of Sahayaks would help the Army in economising on its manpower as well.
“Currently, we are examining various aspects of the option,” the official said, insisting that Sahayaks could not be replaced in field units.
In March, the government strongly defended the Sahayak system in the Army, saying it provides an “essential support” to officers in “fully” attending to their duties in times of peace and war.
At the same time, the government had said Sahayaks or orderlies were combatants and exhaustive instructions had been issued to not make them perform menial tasks which were not in conformity with the dignity of a soldier.
An annual conference of top commanders in April had held extensive deliberations on the Army’s “internal health,” including the issue of the Sahayak system, and decided to reorient the human resource policy of the force.
Soldiers first
Sahayaks are soldiers and their duties include protecting the officers, maintaining their weapons and equipment and helping them in carrying out their responsibilities.
