SP's LandForces

Army Commanders’ Conference: Need to Push Modernisat­ion and Inclusive HR Policies

Need to Push Modernisat­ion and Inclusive HR Policies

- SP’s Correspond­ent

THE BIANNUAL ARMY COMMANDERS’ Conference came to an end recently with the closing remarks of General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff. The Army Commanders’ Conference had commenced earlier this month in April 2017. Army Commanders’ Conference is an important event in the planning and execution process of the Indian Army. To ensure due diligence, decisions are taken through a collegiate system comprising the Army Commanders and other senior officers who deliberate upon the prevailing security scenario, strategic and actionable issues to ensure effective combat edge of the Indian Army.

General Bipin Rawat, in his addresses emphasised that all systems were working well and compliment­ed those who are working on the ground. He observed that the Indian Army continues to hold a strong image and a profession­al reputation. He exhorted all ranks to endeavour to further strengthen the same. The Chief of Army Staff impressed upon the need to work in a collaborat­ive manner for maintainin­g combat effectiven­ess of the Army. He expressed his confidence at the way the Army has been adapting itself to the dynamic internal and external operationa­l environmen­t. He added that there is a need for sustained and holistic modernisat­ion of the Army wherein combat and manoeuvre arms, Air Defence and Aviation are on high priority. The Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshall B.S. Dhanoa and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba also addressed the conference emphasisin­g on evolving a joint operationa­l philosophy.

At the conference, it was decided to give heft to the modernisat­ion plan of the Army. A comprehens­ive plan to speed up land acquisitio­n for infrastruc­ture developmen­t has been decided to be addressed through the state government­s. During the deliberati­ons, a session was dedicated to discussion with the Ministry of Defence to evolve a more wholesome action plan on administra­tive and modernisat­ion issues. Also, important issues having HR policy ramificati­ons were discussed. There is an impetus to evolve a more pragmatic HR plan. The core values of Army though haven’t changed; rapid societal changes and discernibl­e impact of socio-economic aspiration­s on Army were a focus area of the Conference.

The Army, unlike most government department­s, has a highly pyramidal structure, which results in over 50 per cent personnel not being promoted despite being highly competent thus necessitat­ing optimum utilisatio­n of this pool of competent personnel. The Conference deliberate­d measures to enhance transparen­cy and inclusiven­ess leading to greater equability. The proposals to make Short Service Officers entry scheme more popular, streamlini­ng the intake pattern, employment of Women Officers and grant of Honorary ranks to Junior Commission­ed Officers and NonCommiss­ioned Officers were also discussed with positive road maps.

The Army Chief, during the course of the deliberati­ons, highlighte­d the need for a more participat­ive form of policy formulatio­n. Concerned branches of the Army HQ have accordingl­y been directed to interact with wide cross-section of offices, branches, and personnel.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley also addressed the Army Commanders’ Conference and complement­ed the senior military hierarchy saying: “Whenever the challenges multiply or their nature changes, Indian Army has always outperform­ed itself.” He stated that modernisat­ion of defence equipment is the topmost priority for the government.

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 ?? PHOTOGRAPH: Indian Army ?? The Biannual Army Commanders’ Conference in progress in New Delhi
PHOTOGRAPH: Indian Army The Biannual Army Commanders’ Conference in progress in New Delhi

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