In the backdrop of reports suggesting that Army Chief General Bikram Singh may become the first Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Government on Monday said it is still considering the proposal.
The Naresh Chandra Committee on national security in its report last year had recommended creation of the Permanent Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee with tenure of two years. He will be the single point contact of the armed forces with the political leadership on strategic issues. The Committee also suggested creation of three commands — including Special Operations, Cyber and Aerospace.
Reacting to reports about Singh’s likely appointment, officials said the “the Government is still considering the proposal,” adding it will have far reaching impact. They also hinted that the Government will take the view of political parties before taking such a major decision. Sources said recommendations of the Naresh Chandra Committee report were taken up for discussion by the National Security Council meeting headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) was understood to have been asked to prepare proposals for the Cabinet Committee on Security on the issue.
At present, the senior most Service chief becomes Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Singh will assume this position once incumbent Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne retires in December end. If Singh is appointed as the Permanent Chief, this could result in a change in the line of succession in the Army as lt General Anil Chait may become the Army Chief instead of Eastern Army Commander lt General Dalbir Singh Suhag. Chait is at present the senior most Army Commander and posted as the head of the tri-services Integrated Defence Staff headquarters.