Army needs higher portion of revenue
get has been less than 2% of the GDP. Considering the existing scenario, the committee has recommended it to be between 2.5 and 3% instead. With the yearly rise in GDP, this will be a quantum jump and will help achieve required modernisation.
Defence acquisitions take long to fructify. Considerable portion of the budget gets surrendered at the end of the year. The committee recommends a roll-on allocation on a five-yearly basis. Besides, for speedy acquisitions, greater decentralisation of financial powers to the Service Chiefs and vice chiefs has been highlighted.
The Army is more manpower oriented than the other two services. Instead of a standard template, the proportion of revenue budget for the Army needs to be relatively higher.
Underscoring the need for greater synergy in modern wars, the need for joint services war colleges at the higher, directional level has been recommended. At the junior level separate training institutions can continue.
The existing rotational system of appointment of the Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, is recommended to be replaced by a permanent four-star rank officer to hold the appointment for a fixed tenure. At the same time, no poaching of the operational and administrative control of the three service Chiefs has been recommended.
Realising that with the rapid urbanisation and pressure on land, availability of training areas is increasingly difficult, the Committee has recommended greater use of training simulators; to the extent of 60% for new recruits. This will also accrue a saving of some 25 Crore annually.
There are some other organisational recommendations basically to spare combat personnel from non-combat assignments such as in NCC. A greater participation of ex servicemen for such duties has been recommended.
If the recommendations are accepted, the committee envisages savings up to 25,000 crores over a five year period. The point that this must be ploughed back into the defence system, and not be transferred to general budget has been rightly flagged.
The committee, headed by an experienced officer has made some far reaching recommendations. It is a happy development that the government has decided to accept major part of the report. Overhaul of the structure has been long overdue.