DMA to soon have a structure

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 10

The newly created Department of Military Affairs, which is headed by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, will soon have structure to run its affairs.

Since the CDS will also be Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs, it will have structure to include civilian bureaucracy also.

The plan is to have just two joint secretaries to begin with. Meaning cutting down decision-making process as the two would report to General Rawat. The two joint secretaries would be helped by a dozen deputy secretaries and more than 20 under secretaries.

A formal notification is expected soon and it will lay down the structures of reporting channels of the officers. The DMA can have both civilian and military personnel working under it.

Since the task of the DMA is laid down clearly, the idea is to keep a smaller unit that is more responsive.

President Ram Nath Kovind had on January 30 notified the new rules of business dividing responsibility between the newly created Department of Military Affairs, and laying down what all the Defence Secretary would be doing.

The department will look after the work of the Armed Forces of the Union — Army, Navy and Air Force. The Territorial Army and works relating to Army, Navy and Air Force, will be under the same department. He will also handle procurement exclusive to the services except capital acquisitions.

The CDS will promote jointness in procurement, training and staffing for the services through joint planning and integration of their requirements. He has been tasked with the facilitation of restructuring of military commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through establishment of joint/ theatre commands. He will also promote use of indigenous equipment by the Services.

Formal notification expected soon

• The Department of Military Affairs (DMA) will have a structure to include civilian bureaucracy as well
• The Chief of Defence Staff will be the Secretary and the plan is to have just two joint secretaries to begin with
• The two joint secretaries will be helped by a dozen deputy secretaries and more than 20 under secretaries