Lok Sabha Passes Inter-Services Bill As Govt Eyes Integrated Theatre Commands

The Lok Sabha passed the Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill, 2023, on Friday. The bill aims to increase the integration between armed forces.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh ( Image Source :PTI )

As the Centre plans reorganisation of the Indian military into integrated theatre commands, the Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill, 2023. The bill aims to empower the commander-in-chief and the officer-in-command of inter-services organisations with disciplinary and administrative powers over personnel from other forces.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tabled the bill on Friday, saying it was a part of a series of steps being taken by the government to strengthen the armed forces.

Personnel of the Army, Navy and Air Force are governed in accordance with the provisions contained in their specific service Acts -- the Army Act, 1950, the Navy Act, 1957, and the Air Force Act, 1950.

However, now there are numerous inter-services organisations where personnel of the armed forces and other forces serve together.

The need for the legislation was felt as currently the commander-in-chief or the officer-in-command of inter-services organisations is not empowered to exercise disciplinary or administrative powers over personnel belonging to other services.

"The Bill would also pave the way for much greater integration and jointness among the three services and lay a strong foundation for creation of joint structures in times to come," a press release said.

Highlights Of The Inter-Services Organisation Bill

• The ‘ISO Bill - 2023’ will be applicable to all personnel of the regular Army, Navy, and Air Force. It will also be applicable to people of other forces as notified by the Central Government, who are serving in or attached to an Inter-Services Organisation.
• This Bill will empower the Commander-in-Chief, Officer-in-Command or any other officer specially empowered on this behalf by the Centre with all the disciplinary as well as administrative powers in respect of personnel serving in or attached to their Inter-Services Organisations for the maintenance of discipline and proper discharge of their duties, irrespective of the service to which they belong.
• As per PIB's release, the Commander-in-Chief or the Officer-in-Command means General Officer/Flag Officer/Air Officer who has been appointed as Commander-in-Chief of Officer-in-Command an Inter-Services Organisation.
• If any officer receives the power to maintain Command and Control in the absence of the Commander-in-Chief (CiC) or the Officer-in-Command (OiC), then they will also be empowered to initiate all disciplinary or administrative actions over the service personnel, appointed, deputed, posted or attached to an Inter-Services organisation like the CiC or OiC could do.
• The Bill also seeks to empower the Commanding Officer of an Inter-Services Organisation to initiate all disciplinary or administrative actions over the personnel appointed, deputed, posted or attached to that Inter-Services Organisation. For the purpose of this Act, Commanding Officer means the officer in actual command of the unit, ship or establishment.
• This Bill also empowers the Centre to constitute an Inter-Services Organisation.