Indian Defence Ministry Accepts Shekatkar Panel Recommendations To Redeploy 57,000 Soldiers

Indian government has accepted 65 out of 99 reforms recommended by the Shekatkar committee that includes redeployment and restructuring of approximately 57,000 posts of officers/JCOs/ORs and civilians.

India’s Defence Ministry Wednesday has informed the Union Cabinet that the government has accepted 65 out of 99 recommendations of the Lt General DB Shekatkar (retd) committee. The panel was appointed to recommend measures to enhance combat capability of the armed forces.

These reforms will be completed in all respects by 31 December 2019, Indian news agencies reported Wednesday.

Restructuring by the Indian Army is aimed at enhancing Combat Capability in a manner that the officers/JCOs/ORs will be used for improving operational preparedness and civilians will be redeployed in different wings of the Armed Forces for improving efficiency.

The reform process will include restructuring of various repair bases of the Army, besides structural reformation of the National Cadet Corps (NCC). 

Another major reform that has been approved is Optimization of Signals Establishments to include Radio Monitoring Companies, Corps Air Support Signal Regiments, Air Formation Signal Regiments, Composite Signal Regiments and merger of Corps Operating and Engineering Signal Regiments.

The reforms also include restructuring of repair echelons in the Army to include Base Workshops, Advance Base Workshops and Static/Station Workshops in the field Army.

The next approved reform is redeployment of Ordnance echelons to include Vehicle Depots, Ordnance Depots and Central Ordnance Depots apart from streamlining inventory control mechanisms.

Better utilization of Supply and Transport echelons and Animal Transport units was another accepted recommendation. Besides, recommendation to closure of Military Farms and Army postal establishments in peace locations has been accepted.

Further, the committees’ advise that government has accepted is enhancing the standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army.

Implementation has begun with the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Security to close 39 military farms in a time bound manner.