WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFENCE OF INDIA

 WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFENCE OF INDIA? Not the Army Chief, nor Air Force, nor of the Navy!!!

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) is unique in most aspects. No other country can boast of such a set-up.  Responsibility for India's national defence is discharged through MoD, which provides the policy framework and wherewithal to the armed forces. MoD has five Secretaries heading different departments.

1. Department of Defence (DoD). According to the Allocation of Business Rules of the government, the Defence Secretary heads DoD that is responsible for the defence of India and every part thereof, including preparation for defence and all such acts as may be conducive in times of war. In other words, he is tasked to ensure the defence of the country. Surprised? Yes, it is his responsibility and not that of the Service Chiefs, nor of the President or PM.

MoD is different. Any bureaucrat can foot the bill, even if he cannot differentiate between a mortar and a motor or a rocket and a Diwali cracker. India has had Defence Secretaries whose earlier service had been limited to Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry. Most do not know even the basics of defence imperatives. To mask their ignorance and inadequacy, they resort to the time-tested expedient of deferring decision-making. India is the only country that considers experience in fisheries or handlooms to be good enough to equip a bureaucrat to handle Defence of India. No wonder we claim 'Mera Bharat Mahan'!!!

2. Department of Defence Production (DDP). Development of indigenous defence industry is DDP's prime responsibility. Although DDP has a vast domain of 40 unproductive ordnance factories and nine defence PSUs, the performance of DDP has been pathetic to say the least.

It is solely responsible for the current pitiable state of the indigenous defence industry, wherein India remains dependent on imports for 70% of its defence requirements.

The world over, promotion of defence industry is considered to be a highly specialised assignment. However, India is an exception. Any non performing incompetent bureaucrat can be appointed as Secretary DDP.

3. Defence Research and Development Organisation. (DRDO)

DRDO has 52 laboratories in multiple disciplines. It employs over 5,000 scientists and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel. The track record of DRDO is abysmal to say the least – a chronicle of false claims, tall promises, inexplicable delays and sub-optimal products.

4. Department of Ex-serviceman Welfare (DESW) DESW deals with all resettlement, welfare and pensionary matters of ex-servicemen. Strangely, not a single serving or retired soldier has been posted to it. It is totally manned by bureaucrats. Interestingly, India cannot have the Minority Commission without minority members or Women's Commission without women; but it can have DESW without ex-servicemen!!!

 

Welfare of retired soldiers has been entrusted to the people who have never faced a bullet and who know little about the challenges faced by the retired soldiers. Hence, they cannot be faulted for their complete lack of empathy. A comparison of DESW with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) will be enlightening. All the top officers of DVA are ex-servicemen. It is headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert A. McDonald, a veteran of 82nd Airborne Division. Most of the subordinate functionaries also possess extensive military experience.

 

They appreciate that soldiering is a unique profession with challenging convolutions. DESW has acquired notoriety as the first barricade of bureaucratic negativity. Most proposals get rejected at DESW level itself. Instead of looking after the welfare of veterans and standing up for their rights/entitlements, DESW contests every judicial verdict that goes in favour of ex-servicemen, war-widows and even war casualties. As a result, troops and veterans view DESW as an antagonistic entity. India must be the only country where MoD does not enjoy the trust of its veterans. What a sad state of affairs in 'Mera Bharat Mahan'.

5. Defence Finance Division (Def Fin). Defence Finance is responsible to examine all defence matters having a financial bearing; render financial advice; assist in the formulation and implementation of all schemes/proposals involving expenditure; and assist in the formulation and implementation of defence plans. In other words, they are custodians of government funds and oversee all defence expenditure. Notwithstanding the colourful taxonomy of Defence Financial Advisors, Defence Finance officials are ill-equipped to provide any financial advice. Most are graduates in subjects like Sanskrit, English Litt and History. As they are not familiar with even the basics of finance or economics, it is unfair to expect them to grasp minutiae of financial imperatives. How can officials who know nothing of finance and are totally ignorant of defence issues contribute to the evolution of a sound defence finance plan?  What to talk of rendering advice,

Finally, MoD is responsible for all facets of national defence. Unfortunately, it suffers from major fundamental flaws in its organisation and functioning. It is entirely manned by bureaucrats and officials who are clueless about defence matters. The service headquarters are mere attached offices. They do not form part of the decision making apparatus.

Will CDS make any difference in decision making and at what level will he be working?

 

 

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ब्रिगेडियर_नरेन्द्र_ढंड
Brigadier Narinder Dhand.
Founder & Convener,
Indian Armed Forces Veteran's Portals
http://signals-parivaar.blogspot.com
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