Top Defence Management

The present system of Defence Management is centered round the Defence 

 Secretary, who is entrusted with the responsibility for the defence of India, as per the Government's Rules of Business. In the case of Defence Secretary, the Responsibility and Accountability do not seem to be linked together.

No Defence Secretary has ever been held accountable: 1962 war with China, Kargil Episode, Disparity in defence preparedness between China and India or Lack of suitable & adequate Field Armour, Aging Fighter Squadrons and Naval Fleet.

Post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

The Naresh Chandra Task Force had recommended creating an equivalent of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in 2012 and the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh endorsed it. But the file remains buried in the South Block.

The Civil Service (Bureaucracy), which is the biggest impediment for Defence Reforms, may not permit any reform to go through smoothly, as it may diminish its status and importance in the Civil- Military Calculus.

One Rank One Pension (OROP)

OROP for ex servicemen, was acceded to by the UPA government, echoed by the NDA, and announced again by the new regime after its ascension to power. Prime Minister Modi declared emotionally on his visit to the troops in Siachen that "One Rank One Pension has been fulfilled". Even one year after NDA Govt. OROP remains a pipe-dream – Thanks to the strangle hold of Civil Bureaucracy over (non) implementation of policy decisions.

As far back as 2003, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence recommended One Rank One Pension, calling it "a debt" the Nation had to pay. It is a debt, the NDA Government must honour without any Ifs & Buts. Not to do so forthwith is an act of dishonour.

Disparities between Civil Bureaucrats Vs Service Officers

A Joint Secretary, with nineteen years of professional experience, is deemed the equivalent of a Major-General, who not only has many more years of service but has commanded men and materiel, made life-and-death decisions and protected our nation. Only less than 1% of Army officers ever attain Major General Rank, while almost all IAS Officers are likely to become Joint Secretaries by time scale. Lot more pensions are paid to Joint Secretaries than Major-Generals, yet there there is quibbling about the cost of Defence Pensions.

Supremacy of Democratic Civilian Govt OK, but Not ----

The supremacy of Democratic Civilian Government over Defence Services is a Must, but the Arrogance and Tyranny of Civil Bureaucracy cannot be tolerated and not desirable in the name of Govt.

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