New Delhi (Agency): On August 8, 2023, India’s Rajya Sabha approved a significant bill aiming to boost the powers of the leaders of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs). This move is expected to simplify administrative processes within these organizations.
The Rajya Sabha’s green light followed the Lok Sabha’s approval on August 4 for the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control, and Discipline) Bill, 2023. This legislation focuses on granting the Commander-in-Chief and Officer-in-Command of ISOs “all disciplinary and administrative powers” related to personnel in or affiliated with such entities.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, responding to discussions on the bill, emphasized the government’s commitment to the well-being of its forces. Expressing the importance of the bill, Singh said it was part of a larger effort for military reforms spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The main goal? To ensure the nation’s military arms work seamlessly together. Singh quoted, “an important step taken towards integration and jointness among the Armed Forces to face future challenges in an integrated manner.”
At present, the different branches of the Armed Forces operate under their unique Service Acts. For instance, the Army has the Army Act 1950, the Navy follows the Navy Act 1957, and the Air Force abides by the Air Force Act 1950. This new bill will offer several clear advantages. One of the notable benefits is the maintenance of discipline in ISOs, led by their heads. This means there’s no need to transfer personnel back to their original units if disciplinary action is needed. This streamlined approach will lead to faster case resolutions, saving both time and public funds by preventing repetitive proceedings.
Furthermore, the bill also paves the path to greater cooperation among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This integration lays the groundwork for potential joint structures in the future, enhancing the Armed Forces’ overall efficiency.
It is worth noting that the ‘ISO Bill – 2023’ will cover all regular personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as members of other forces as identified by the Central Government, provided they are associated with an Inter-Services Organisation. The Bill defines the Commander-in-Chief or the Officer-in-Command as the General Officer, Flag Officer, and Air Officer leading an ISO.
In scenarios where the Commander-in-Chief or Officer-in-Command is unavailable, provisions have been made to ensure command continuity. The bill grants the right to initiate disciplinary or administrative measures to the officiating officer or the person assuming command in their absence.
A notable aspect of the ‘ISO Bill-2023′ is its non-intrusiveness regarding existing Service Acts, which have been in place and proven effective over decades. Rather, the bill seeks to empower ISO leaders to utilize the existing Service Acts’ disciplinary and administrative capabilities, irrespective of the specific military branch the personnel come from.