Integrated Theatre Commands Now Have Parliamentary Backing As Standing Committee On Defence Gives Nod To Introduce Bill In Parliament

The proposed plan of integrated theatre commands (ITC) has now parliamentary backing as the Parliamentary Standing Committee has given green light to bringing a law for theatre commands in the parliament.

This law, after approval from the parliament will pave the way for creation of theatre commands in-line with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan's proposed plan.

The Defence Ministry had earlier in March introduced a bill named Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023, which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, according to a report by The Print.

This bill will allow commanders of the tri-services organisation like Andaman and Nicobar (ANC), and Strategic Forces command to have disciplinary powers over all the personnel in the tri-services commands.

Until now, the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the tri-services command has disciplinary powers, only over personnel of his own service.

He cannot exercise administrative powers over personnel from other services.

For example, an Army General serving as the head of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) does not possess administrative authority over navy and air force officers under his command. However, the General does wield administrative powers over Army officers within the ANC.

Any administrative action can only be done by their respective parents services under their respective service acts only.

According to the report, the tri-services commands will have to be notified as an inter-services organisations (ISO), which will then grant the C-in-C administrative powers over personnel of all three services under his command.

After the approval of this bill from the parliament, the central government will have the powers to notify any tri-services command as an ISO.

This comes after the forces are very close to rolling out the three joint commands, reportedly on 15 August at the Independence day.

It is expected that the Government will announce the rolling out of the first Jaipur-based western integrated theatre command, which will handle the entire front opposite Pakistan.

While the second, Northern ITC, will be set-up at the Lucknow-based Central command, which will handle China. These two commands will be commanded by officers from the Army and Air Force on a rotational basis.

The third maritime ITC, which will look after India's maritime interests, on the other hand, will be commanded by Navy officers.