The Supreme Court on Monday gave its nod to the Army’s Command Exit Model which gave preference in promotions from the rank of lt Col to Colonel in the combat wings of the armed force. The policy was challenged by lt Cols serving in non-combat arms, who felt left out in the process.
The court, however, directed Army to create 141 additional Colonel posts to accommodate lt Cols serving in non-combat arms, chiefly Army Service Core, who were due for promotion between 2009 and 2014.
The judgment by a Bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice Kurian Joseph has come as a big relief for Army, which had come to the apex court challenging an order passed by Armed Forces Tribunal that quashed the Command Exit Model. Finding no fault with the Model, the Bench upheld the reasoning behind the policy decision to have Colonels heading Command at a younger age. This model brought into force on January 20, 2009 was based on the finding by a committee headed by former Defence Secretary Ajay Vikram Singh that as seen during the Kargil War, getting top combat officers to exit Command at younger age would be productive for Army operations.
The AFT quashed the policy as it felt that the said decision weighed in favour of combat officers from Infantry and Artillery in getting quick promotions over officers from Support wings such as Engineering and Medical.
The apex court while upholding the Command Exit Model gave partial relief to the aggrieved officers from Services Core by directing Centre to create 141 additional posts of Colonel for ‘Combat Support’ wing in the Army.
The Bench further held that officers serving in the Services were distinct from Arms and Arms Support wings, although they draw the same salary, hold the same rank, wear the same uniform and serve the same employer with similar service benefits.