Implementation of CoE recommendations related to Defence Reforms
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.18
TO BE ANSWERED ON 19th July, 2021
IMPLEMENTATION OF CoE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO DEFENCE REFORMS
18 SHRI K. SOMAPRASAD:
Will the Minister of Defence be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has accepted the recommendations of the Committee of Experts (CoE) which envisages to optimize both military personnel and defence civilians;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the process of downsizing undertaken so far?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE SHRI AJAY BHATT
(a) to (c): The Committee of Experts (CoE) constituted by the Ministry of Defence under the chairmanship of Lt Gen (Retd) DB Shekatkar to recommend measures to enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure of the armed forces, submitted its report in December, 2016.
The Report was taken up by the Ministry of Defence to frame key action points and roadmap for implementation. Measures recommended by the Committee and taken up for implementation include:
(i) Optimization of Signals Establishments to include Radio Monitoring Companies, Corps Air Support Signal Regiments, Air Formation Signal Regiments, Composite Signal Regiments and merger of Corps Operating and Engineering Signal Regiments.
(ii) Restructuring of repair echelons in the Army to include Base Workshops, Advance Base Workshops and Static/Station Workshops in the field Army.
(iii) Redeployment of Ordnance echelons to include Vehicle Depots, Ordnance Depots and Central Ordnance Depots apart from streamlining inventory control mechanisms.
(iv) Better utilization of Supply and Transportation echelons and Animal Transport Units.
(v) Closure of Military Farms and Army Postal Establishments in peace locations.
(vi) Enhancement in standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army.
(vii) Improving the efficiency of the National Cadet Corps.
The implementation of certain recommendations of the CoE involves redeployment/ restructuring/ optimization of approximately 57,000 posts, both military and civilian.
Full details are not being placed in the public domain as they include operational aspects of the armed forces, disclosure of which is not in the interest of national security.
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