Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill 2023
Source: Indian Express
GS II: Polity; GS III: Security Forces

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill 2023
3. Key features

Why in News ?

A parliamentary committee on Defence gave a go-ahead to a Bill that seeks to empower the Commander-in-Chief and Officer-in-Command of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) with all disciplinary and administrative powers in respect of personnel serving in or attached to such organisations.

About the Bill

• Introduced in Lok Sabha on March 15, 2023.

  

• It seeks to empower the Commander-in-Chief or Officer-in-Command of Inter-services Organisations to exercise disciplinary or administrative control over the service personnel under their command, irrespective of their service.

Need for the Bill

• Personnel’s from Army, Navy and Air Force are governed by their own acts and provions Army Act 1950, the Navy Act 1957, and the Air Force Act 1950 respectively.
• But currently inter services joint training established.
•  Officer-in-command during these joint training donot have any powers over the other services they belonging to.
• The purpose of the proposed legislation is to provide the commander in chief and officer in charge of inter-services organisations complete disciplinary and administrative authority over all troops working for or connected to such organisations or institutions.

Key features

• Inter-services Organisation
  • The central government may constitute an Inter-services Organisation which has personnel belonging to at least two of the three services: the army, the navy, and the air force.
  • These may be placed under the command of an Officer-in-Command.
  • These organisations may also include a Joint Services Command, which may be placed under the command of a Commander-in-Chief.
• Control of Inter-services Organisations
  • The Bill empowers the Commander-in-Chief or the Officer-in-Command of an Inter-services Organisation to exercise command and control over the personnel serving in or attached to it.
  • He would be responsible for maintaining discipline and ensuring proper discharge of duties by the service personnel.
• Central Government Role 
  • The government may also issue directions to such organisations on grounds of national security, general administration, or public interest.
  • The central government may notify any force raised and maintained in India to which the Bill will apply.
  • This would be in addition to army, navy, and air force personnel.
• Who can be appointed as Commander-in-Chief?
  1. General Officer of the regular Army: Above the rank of Brigadier
  2. Flag Officer of the Navy: rank of Admiral of the Fleet, Admiral, Vice-Admiral, or Rear-Admiral
  3. Air Officer of the Air Force: Above the rank of group captain
• Power of Commander-in-Chief
  • Exercise all disciplinary and administrative powers vested in
    1. General Officer Commanding the Army
    2. Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of a Naval Command
    3. Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of an Air Command
  • Any other officer/authority specified in the service Acts
  • Any other officer/authority notified by the government.
• Provision for Commanding Officer
  • The Bill provides for a Commanding Officer who will be in command of a unit, ship, or establishment.
  • The officer will also perform duties assigned by the Commander-in-Chief or Officer-in-Command of the Inter-services Organisation.
  • The Commanding Officer will be empowered to initiate all disciplinary or administrative actions over the personnel appointed, deputed, posted, or attached to that Inter-services Organisation.

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