The Hindu : Defence Ministry gets a new name

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 02, 2002

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Defence Ministry gets a new name

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JULY 1. The Defence Ministry has been given a new name to convey the greater say permitted to the armed forces in higher defence management.

The change in nomenclature to "Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence'' got the nod recently after considerable administrative and financial powers as well as the powers to authenticate certain documents were delegated to the three services. The new name would also correct the perception that the armed forces headquarters does not participate in policy formulation and is outside the apex governmental structure.

The decentralisation of decision-making and delegation of powers to the service headquarters was being attempted since the mid-nineties. But acceleration was provided by the jolt given by the Kargil War. The Group of Ministers on National Security which was set up after the "War" also underlined the need to integrate the services headquarters into the Government to "enhance the efficiency of the nation's defence management structures and processes".

Although the significance of the new name will not mean much outside the services' circles, it would be a big morale booster for the armed forces. Besides cutting down on decision-making delays by reducing the multiplicity of channels, it will correct the impression that the three services were secondary to the civilian-dominated Ministry of Defence. Since 1952, the service headquarters was known as "attached offices" to the Ministry of Defence.

Meanwhile, the Government has allocated Rs. 200 crores for setting up the world's third national defence university (NDU). It will be located in Delhi or its vicinity. The two existing NDUs are in China and the United States. The step was taken following the realisation that university research in defence was not managed and funded effectively. It was also deficient in policy orientation. The NDU is expected to promote synergy between the academic community and governmental functionaries as well as play the lead role in formulating long-term defence and strategic studies.

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