Under these circumstances, to ensure that the status of the senior-most civil servant in the MoD, the defence secretary, would remain “undiluted”, the GoM envisaged that he would be designated as the “principal adviser, defence”. The distinction between “military” and “defence” was based on the fact that the defence secretary had a wider ambit since he was, in theory, meant to oversee the functioning of the other three departments in the ministry: defence finance, defence production, and defence R&D. The new GoM formulation, according to which the defence secretary was to rank primus inter pares with the other three secretaries, was intended to “reinforce the view that this individual, irrespective of pay-scale or inter-service status, is a vital element in the higher management of defence, and should be so recognised...”

These are valid sentiments. The GoM also hoped to bring about integration of the Service HQs with MoD by change of the former’s nomenclature, and by devolution of some financial and other powers. The theory was endorsed by the Vajpayee government. The facts, however, were different. Most of the GoM’s recommendations were implemented within months, but the system choked on the single most crucial step for reforming the National Security System — the creation of a CDS. Two successive governments, in their wisdom, have baulked at this issue and it must be assumed that the time has not yet come for implementing the CDS system. Which is a great pity, but not a disaster.

Against this backdrop, one was therefore startled to see the news item stating that the parliamentary standing committee on defence had recommended the defence secretary be brought on par with the service chiefs, on the grounds that there is a lack of coordination between the MoD and Service HQs! All one can say is that if synergy is wanting in South Block, it is only for the reasons highlighted by the KRC. Those who feel the defence secretary lacks status, vis-à-vis the service chiefs, must understand that this is more than made up by his access to the defence minister. It is common knowledge that despite their being on par with the cabinet secretary, the service chiefs are kept well outside the inner circle.

... contd.