Rajnath approves reforms in Army headquarters
NEWDELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh has approved the first batch of reforms in the Army including relocation of 206 officers from the Army headquarters, setting up of a separate vigilance cell and forming an umbrella organisation to focus on human rights issues.
Last year, the army, based on 12 independent studies, finalised a reform road map to make the 1.3 million-strong force leaner and meaner as well as to enhance its combat capabilities.
“The defence minister has approved certain decisions regarding re-organisation of Army headquarters,” the defence ministry said.
It said 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.
Another key approval given by Singh is 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.