Rules notified to empower military theatre commanders with disciplinary powers

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These rules aim to bolster effective command, control and efficient functioning of inter-services organisations (ISOs), thereby strengthening integration among the armed forces, the MoD said in a statement.

Official sources said this was a long-awaited reform, especially after the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff. Last Year in August, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had passed the Bill that received Presidential assent.

The Act empowers Commanders-in-Chief and Officers-in-Command of tri-service organisations to exercise control over service personnel, serving under them, for effective maintenance of discipline and administration, without disturbing the unique service conditions of each individual service.

The move comes 24 years after India created its first tri-service command — the Andaman and Nicobar Command.

At present, personnel of the Indian Air Force, Army and the Navy are, respectively, governed under the Air Force Act, 1950, the Army Act, 1950, and the Navy Act, 1957.

Besides, a tri-service commander had no role in administration of justice against any of his subordinates. Officers and men posted to tri-services organisations while facing disciplinary proceedings, if any, were reverted to their parent service.

Service personnel when serving in a tri-services organisation will continue to be governed by their respective service Acts. However, these rules and the new Act will empower heads of tri-services organisations to exercise all the disciplinary and administrative powers as per the existing Acts of the three services.

Theatre commands are also expected to be announced soon and entail having a single commander leading the men and officers from the three armed forces.

The tri-service organisations currently include the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the Strategic Forces Command and the Department of Military Affairs – led by the CDS.