The just-concluded Army Commanders’ Conference has debated ways of optimum utilisation of personnel as the Service has a “highly pyramidal structure” and hence over “50% personnel are not promoted despite being highly competent”.
In a statement on Sunday, the Army said its core values had not changed, and rapid “societal changes and discernible impact of socio-economic aspirations on Army” had been a focus area of the conference. Various measures to enhance transparency and inclusiveness were deliberated.
Orderly system
This comes against the backdrop of concerns on the sahayak system in the Army after a series of videos had surfaced on social media recently in which serving personnel alleged that they were forced to do menial jobs. Under the orderly system, jawans are assigned to officers to perform certain specified personal tasks.
The government has promised a full review of the system, but no proposal has been made to abolish it.
“The proposals to make Short Service Commission officers’ entry scheme more popular, streamlining the intake pattern, employment of women officers and grant of honorary ranks to Junior Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers have been deliberated with positive road maps,” the statement added.
In his closing address, the Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, expressed confidence at the way the force had been adapting itself to the “dynamic internal and external operational environment”, and stressed the need to work in a collaborative manner for maintaining the combat effectiveness of the Army.
The biannual conference, held from April 17 to 22 this year, gives an opportunity for the top leadership to carry out due diligence on a range of issues and decisions are taken through a “collegiate system” comprising Commanders and other senior officers.
Addressing the conference, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba, and Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa emphasised the need to evolve a joint operational philosophy.
