Army orders force restructuring

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 22

The Army has issued a formal order that looks to re-cast, right-size and restructure the officer cadre so as to make it ready for future battles. There are around 39,000 officers in the Army.

A high-level committee headed by the Military Secretary—a Lieut General rank officer—has been tasked to study all aspects and submit a report by November-end. A “convening order” for cadre restructuring has been issued by Vice-Chief of the Army Lt Gen Devraj Anbu.

The Tribune was the first to report in its edition dated June 13 that Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had okayed cadre restructuring. The “convening order” issued on June 18 lays down terms of reference for the committee.

The recommendations of the Ajai Vikram Singh Committee (AVSC) will be kept in mind. The report submitted by former Defence Secretary Ajai Vikram Singh was accepted in 2004.

The committee will make projections for futuristic growth and consequent manpower requirements.

“The cadre-review exercise should not be misconstrued as a process of up-gradation of posts, or increase in number of higher ranks or be driven by competitive pressure from other services,” says the order.

Futuristic projections should form the basis for induction and reduction of officers. An existing study on rightsizing will be considered. The committee will also “examine and identify likely areas for reduction, with focus on the base (entry level)”, says the order.

At present, upward cadre mobility of Colonel is slow. The committee has been asked to review existing Corps and even suggest a merger. The Army wants segregation of combat and administrative manpower needs. 

It is also looking to empower jawans and identify posts on which they can be promoted. The issue of officers who get overlooked at the level of Lieut Colonel (about 36-37 years of age), but continue in service till 54 years of age, will also be addressed.

The committee will also suggest what should be the ratio of short-service commissioned officers, who will leave after serving for 10-14 years.

The review comes amid rising wage bills. In the ongoing fiscal (ending March 31, 2019), the Army salary bill is budgeted at Rs 80,945 crore and the pension bill at Rs 95,949 crore. In contrast, the modernisation budget is Rs 26,688 crore.

For futuristic growth

• A committee has been tasked to study all aspects as regards restructuring the officer cadre and submit a report by November-end
• The panel will also make projections for futuristic growth and consequent manpower requirements