Sir — This refers to the article, “Securing the nation is of utmost priority” (June 19) by Hiranmay Karlekar. The malaise runs deeper, and from the Nehruvian era. It is to do with the ‘distrust’ of the Armed Forces. To keep them ‘in check’, came into existence the system, made virtually entirely dysfunctional during the Congress-led UPA regime, that is called the Defence Ministry, with the Armed Forces having little say in its functioning.
Thus, we have the Rules of Business of the Union Government that places the responsibility for the defence of India on the civilian Defence Secretary, and not the Service chiefs. Can we have anything more ridiculousIJ The equipment shortages the author has spoken of springs from this anomaly.
The Kargil Review Committee had recommended integrating the Service Headquarters with the Defence Ministry and the appointment of a 5-Star General/equivalent in the other two Services as the Chief of Defence Staff. This was during the previous NDA regime. It was approved by the then Group of Ministers. The decision is gathering dust.