On August 21, 2019, Union Minister for Defence Shri Rajnath Singh approved certain decisions regarding re-organisation of Army Headquarters, based on a detailed internal study conducted by the Army Headquarters (AHQ).
The decisions are:
i. Separate Vigilance Cell under COAS: An independent vigilance cell will be made functional under COAS (Chief of Army Staff) with Tri-Services representation. Accordingly, ADG- Additional Directorate General (Vigilance) will be placed directly under the COAS for this purpose. It will have three Colonel-level officers (one each from Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy). This will be done within the existing posts at AHQ. At present, the vigilance function for the COAS is through multiple agencies and there is no single point interface.
ii. An umbrella organisation under VCOAS for enhanced focus on human rights issues:
To give high priority to observance of human rights convention and values, it has been decided to set up a special Human Rights Section headed by ADG (Major General rank officer) directly under the VCOAS (Vice Chief Of Army Staff/Army). It will be the nodal point to examine any HR (Human Resource) violation reports. To enhance transparency and ensure the best of investigative expertise is available to the section, a Police officer of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)/ Â Superintendent of Police (SP) rank will be taken on deputation.
iii. Re-location of 206 Army Officers from AHQ to Formations/Units of the Field Army:
A total of 206 officers will be optimized from AHQ and the officers will be made available additionally to Formations/Units of the Field Army. The details are:
Name of Post | No. of Posts |
Major Gen. | 03 |
Brigadier | 08 |
Colonel | 09 |
Lt. Colonel/ Major | 186 |
About Ministry of Defence:
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi
♦ Founded: August 15, 1947
♦ Constituency of the Minister of Defence: Lucknow, U.P