Proposals embrace slicing down on ceremonial practices like brass bands. (Representational)
A slew of measures proposed to streamline utilisation of manpower in addition to monetary and materials assets has been acquired properly, however is creating ripples in Military circles. As a result of the proposals embrace disposing of Military Day and Territorial Military Day parades in New Delhi, slicing down on ceremonial practices corresponding to brass bands and quarter guards, particular person officers’ mess and CSD canteen for models in peace stations.
These proposed measures are a part of a report circulated after an inside evaluate of current practices. Titled ‘Optimisation of Manpower and Assets: Evaluate of Practices and Amenities in Indian Military’, the train was performed earlier this yr. A number of strategies have been circulated amongst main institutions, command headquarters and main directorates of the Military — and acquired broad concurrence.
The Sunday Specific has learnt that the proposed measures embrace discontinuing the Military Day parade on January 15 and Territorial Military Day parade on October 9.
The variety of Military bands and pipes and drums ensembles that take part within the Republic Day parade and Beating Retreat ceremony are proposed to be introduced down from 30 (15 bands and 15 pipes and drums) to 18 (10 bands and eight pipes and drums). The rationale: whereas previously the variety of marching contingents within the Republic Day parade had been introduced down from 12 to six, there had not been any corresponding lower within the variety of bands.
The proposals additionally state that Vijay Divas and Kargil Vijay Divas occasions must be held with least “fanfare”, and that whereas the intention is to inspire troops, “non-military goals” shouldn’t be a part of the occasions with giant manpower dedicated to those. As an alternative of color presentation ceremonies, held at varied places throughout the nation, to numerous regiments, this occasion is now proposed to be held solely annually at Rashtrapati Bhavan and will likely be attended by representatives of the models to be awarded together with their Colonel of the Regiment.
Equally, one investiture ceremony will likely be held in Delhi for awardees of Military HQs and different models primarily based in Delhi. This will likely be presided upon by the Vice Chief of Military Workers or the GOC-in-C, Western Command. On the command degree too, there will likely be just one investiture ceremony a yr.
The variety of residential guards of Generals are proposed to be restricted to solely 4 (One NCO and three different ranks) and these too shall be authorised solely to Lt Generals and above as per entitlement. Whereas visiting different stations, solely the Chief of Military Workers, Vice Chief of Military Workers and Military Commanders will likely be supplied residential guards if the keep is in a single day.
A number of officers’ mess of completely positioned models in peace stations are proposed to be amalgamated to kind one station mess. Nevertheless, models which transfer from peace to area tenures would be capable to retain their officers’ mess. A board of officers is proposed to be set as much as put together a phased plan for establishing station officers’ mess.
Army police outriders and escorts for Generals are to be stopped and restricted solely to some ceremonial occasions. The Corps of Army Police is to give attention to sustaining self-discipline amongst troops and for visitors management as additionally to “hone their policing expertise”. No army police car or outriders are proposed to escort any VIP inside army stations too.
The Motorbike Rider Show Groups of the Military Service Corps Centre and Faculty, CMP Centre and Faculty and the 1 Sign Coaching Centre are proposed to be merged into one group on the Sign Coaching Centre by 2022 and the remainder of the groups are to be disbanded by 2025.
One other proposal mooted is to get rid of unit ‘quarter guards’ which home a big complement of manpower. A ceremonial guard could also be mounted there as soon as a month, and for the remainder of the time, tactical guard must be used.
The cultural and dance troupe, conventional martial arts groups and jazz bands of models will stop to exist. They may proceed for use as ‘interest’, their actions restricted to the unit.
Additionally, a unit can determine whether or not it desires to have fun Battle Honour Day or Elevating Day within the yr — each won’t be held. Elevating Day occasions would even be curtailed and no items or memento are proposed to be exchanged.
Like officers’ mess, there’s a proposal to get rid of particular person unit CSD canteens in a single station, and mix the various canteens into one in peace stations, conserving accessibility in thoughts.
Underneath the brand new scheme of issues, it won’t be obligatory for models to keep up a pipe and drum band. As of now, nearly all infantry and mechanised infantry models have a medical platoon whose members are skilled as band members.
The suggestions state that there’s appreciable scope to optimise the variety of pipes and drums as a number of of them are sometimes present in one station. A board of officers is proposed to be convened to determine bands for disbandment. Some infantry battalions which aren’t authorised bands however have them out of custom won’t should discontinue the apply.
Lesser attachments of jawans from models to greater headquarters, outsourcing of Diwali Melas, and discarding archaic workplace practices are a few of the different measures proposed.
A senior officer in Military HQs stated most responses have been optimistic, endorsing the proposals. “A remaining name on the proposals will likely be taken on the Military Commanders Convention which is scheduled to be held later this month in New Delhi,” the officer stated.
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