Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved certain decisions regarding the re-organisation of the Army Headquarters (AHQ), initiating the biggest transformation exercise of the Army since Independence. These measures are part of the four studies being undertaken by the Army for force restructuring and transformation.
The measures approved include a separate Vigilance Cell under Chief of Army Staff (COAS) with tri-services representation, an umbrella organisation under Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) for enhanced focus on Human Rights (HR) issues and re-location of 206 Army Officers from AHQ to formations/units in the field, the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
At present, the vigilance function for the COAS is through multiple agencies and there is no single point interface. “An independent vigilance cell will be made functional under the COAS. Accordingly, ADG (Vigilance) will be placed directly under the COAS for this purpose. It will have three Colonel-level officers (one each from the Army, the Air Force and the Navy). This will be done within the existing posts at the AHQ,” the statement said
On the HR organisation, the Ministry said that to give high priority for human rights convention and values, it had been decided to set up a special Human Rights Section headed by an ADG (Major General rank officer) directly under the VCOAS and it would be the “nodal point to examine any HR violation reports”.
Further, to enhance transparency and ensure the best of investigative expertise available to the section, a police officer of SSP/SP rank would be taken on deputation, the statement said.
The third measure would see a trimming down of the officer strength in the AHQ and 206 officers would be posted out to field formations and units. These include three Major Generals, eight Brigadiers, nine Colonels and 186 Lieutenant Colonels, the statement added.
There are several other measures that are in the works. The four studies ordered by Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat are: restructuring of the AHQ, force restructuring which includes creation of Integrated Battle Groups, cadre review of officers and review of terms and conditions of the Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks. The aim was holistic integration to enhance the operational and functional efficiency, optimise budget expenditure, facilitate force modernisation and address aspirations, the Army had said earlier.
