Indian Army Gets Approval For Restructuring As Rajnath Singh Announces These Mega Reforms

In a major move towards making Indian Army more efficient and and systematic, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday approved the first batch of changes out of the various proposals his ministry was mulling from some period of time.

The Ministry further informed that 206 Army officers are being relocated from the Army headquarters. (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: In a major move towards making Indian Army more efficient and and systematic, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday approved the first batch of changes out of the various proposals his ministry was mulling from some period of time. According to reports, Singh has put a seal of approval for the relocation of as many as 206 officers from the Army headquarters in the national capital, setting up of a separate vigilance cell and forming an umbrella organisation to focus on human rights issues. Based on 12 independent studies, the Army in 2018 had finalised a reform roadmap to make the 1.3 million-strong force leaner and meaner as well as to enhance its combat capabilities. In a official statement, the Ministry of Defence said, "The defence minister has approved certain decisions regarding re-organisation of Army headquarters." The Ministry further informed that 206 Army officers are being relocated from the Army headquarters and they will be be made available to various field formations and units. The officers to be relocated include three major generals, eight brigadiers, nine colonel and 186 Lt Colonel/Major. One other proposal the government was analysing included setting up separate bodies corruption complaints in the armed forces. Singh has also approved to set up a separate vigilance cell under the Army Chief with tri-services representation. Presently, the vigilance department operates through multiple agencies and there is no single point interface. "An independent vigilance cell will be made functional under Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Accordingly, Additional Director General (vigilance) will be placed directly under the COAS for it," the ministry said. The vigilance cell will have three Colonel-level officers, one each from Army, Indian Air Force and Navy. Officials also informed that the umbrella organisation for human rights issues will operate under the Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS). They said that it is being set up to accord high priority to human rights convention and values. "It has been decided to set up a special human rights section headed by ADG (Major General rank officer) directly under the VCOAS," the ministry added further. "To enhance transparency and ensure the best of investigative expertise is available to the section, a Police officer of SSP/SP rank will be taken on deputation," said the ministry. The reform initiatives were finalised by top commanders of the Army in October last year to usher in transformative reforms in the force. According to the report, these reforms will also include restructuring the Army's officer cadre, bringing down age of key commands, arresting rising revenue expenditure and 'right-sizing' the force. (With inputs from PTI)