Significant hike in financial powers of Army Commanders

Financial powers delegated to chiefs of the Army’s six field commands, that authorise them to make emergency procurement of equipment and execute projects to meet operational requirements, have been significantly enhanced.

Instructions issued by the Ministry of Defence in September have hiked the Army Commanders Special Financial Powers by up to four times, depending on the Command and its role. These powers were last revised in 2021.

The powers of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, which is responsible for the Line of Control with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, Siachen Glacier, as well as counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir, have been increased from Rs 400 crore to Rs 500 crore per annum.

In Eastern Command that holds the border with China besides undertaking internal security duties in the north-eastern states, the annual powers have been hiked from Rs 200 crore to Rs 400 crore, while in Western Command, which is also involved in counter-terrorist operations in the Jammu region besides keeping a watch on the International Border with Pakistan in Punjab and the Border with Tibet in Himachal Pradesh, the hike is from Rs 100 crore to Rs 200 crore.

Earlier the financial delegation authorised to the remaining three operational commands was Rs 50 crore per annum, while the Army Training Command, which oversees training institutions, does not have any such provision.

Under the new directives, the powers of the GOC-in-C, Central Command have been increased to Rs 200 crore. This is significant as the post 2020 stand-off with China, this Command has been given a greater role along the LAC in the western theatre, with additional force accretions and a move to raise a new Corps under it by restructuring an Area Headquarters.

Southern Command, mandated for wartime operations along the borders in southern Rajasthan and Gujarat has also got a similar hike, while the South Western Command, whose operational area is north Rajasthan, will get to spend Rs 100 crore annually.

The powers are exercised by the GOC-in-Cs in accordance with the policy on the subject and various guidelines issued by the Defence Ministry. These cover a vast array of equipment and services that may be required urgently or are not centrally procured. The heads of Air Force and Navy Commands also have similar powers.

This includes acquiring all types of items, goods, equipment, spares, tools, clothing, software, repairs, modifications, transportation, training, special services, leasing, technical assessment, consultancy, systems study, refurbishment, fabrication and construction of defences or other structures.