Inter-Services Organisations Bill

In News 

• Government introduces bill to Empower Tri-Services Commanders.

About

• The Indian government has recently introduced the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill in the Lok Sabha.
• The bill aims to empower the central government to constitute Inter-services Organisations formed of personnel from multiple military services or branches of defence.
• Currently, service personnel of the Air Force, Army and Navy are governed by their respective Service Acts, and only officers of the respective services can exercise disciplinary powers over them.
• Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) will be crucial for India’s defence and security as they promote cooperation and coordination between different services of the Indian Armed Forces.

Major highlights:

• Empowering Tri-Services Commanders:
  • The proposed Bill will empower the Heads of the Inter-services Organisations to exercise effective command, control and discipline on all personnel of regular Air force, Army and Navy.
  • The bill allows commanders to exercise control over personnel belonging to different services serving under their command.
  • The power under the bill will also be available to Inter-services Organisations constituted before the commencement of the new law.
• Joint Command:
  • The bill empowers the central government to constitute Inter-services Organisations, including a joint services command comprising units or service personnel of Air Force, Army and Navy.
  • Inter-services organisations may be placed under the command of the Commander-in-Chief or the Officer-in-Command.

Importance of the step

• Time-saving: The personnel serving in Inter-services Organisations need to be reverted to their parent Service units for any disciplinary or administrative action, which is time-consuming and has financial implications.
• Joint Planning and Execution: ISOs facilitate joint planning and execution of military operations between different services, which ensures the optimal utilization of resources and a coordinated approach to achieve the mission’s objectives.
• Intelligence Sharing: ISOs allow for the sharing of intelligence between different services, which enhances situational awareness and the ability to respond to threats quickly and effectively.
• Specialized Training and Education: ISOs provide specialized training and education to military personnel from different services, which enhances their skills and expertise in specific areas and enables them to work together seamlessly.
• Equipment Standardization: ISOs facilitate equipment standardization and interoperability between different services, which ensures that the military is equipped with the best possible technology and that different services can work together effectively.
• Cost Savings: ISOs can help reduce costs by avoiding duplication of effort and resources and enabling the military to make the best use of available resources.

Challenge of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs)

• Competing Interests: Each service has its own unique mission, culture, and operational priorities, which can create competition and conflicts of interest within ISOs which can hinder the effectiveness of the organisation.
• Communication: Effective communication between different services can be challenging due to differences in terminology, communication protocols, and operational procedures which can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and errors in decision-making.
• Resources: ISOs require significant resources to function effectively, including personnel, equipment, and funding which can be challenging, as services may prioritize their own needs and interests over the needs of the ISO. 
• Leadership: Effective leadership within ISOs can be challenging, as leaders must navigate competing interests, communication barriers, and resource constraints. 

Way ahead

• Once the bill is enacted, it will provide the necessary authority for effective command, control and discipline of Inter-services Organisations and streamline the disciplinary and administrative process for personnel serving under different services.
• Through joint planning and execution, intelligence sharing, specialized training and education, equipment standardization, and cost savings, ISOs can enable India to achieve its military objectives efficiently and effectively.
• While ISOs face several challenges, including competing interests, communication barriers, and resource constraints, they are essential for India’s defence and security. 
• Overall, ISOs are an essential component of India’s national security infrastructure and will continue to play a critical role in the country’s defence and security in the future.

Source: TH