Demand Rising for the Formation of Integrated Theater Command in Rajya Sabha, CDS Rawat was Working on the Plan
After the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat was martyred in a helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, demand has been raised in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday to form an Integrated Theater Command by merging the three forces. General Bipin Rawat was working on this plan since assuming the post of the country's first CDS.
BJP member Dr. Ashok Bajpai raised the issue
In Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, BJP member Dr. Ashok Bajpai, raising the issue of creating an Integrated Theater Command by merging the three wings of the Army, said that a committee formed after the Kargil War had decided to create the post of CDS and form Integrated Theater Command. He said that at least three such commands are necessary for the security of the country. He said that there are such commands in all the big countries including America and China.
Today there are 17 military commands in the country
A plan has been made to make three to five such commands in India as well. He said that the purpose of creation of the post of CDS was to effectively control the three services and strengthen them. Today there are 17 military commands in the country.
Dr. Ashok said that seven of these are in command of the Army, seven of the Air Force and three of the Navy. In order to effectively control the three wings of the army, at least three integrated theater commands should be formed by merging the three branches of the army. These commands should be Eastern Command, Northern Command and Western Command and their formation will be very important for the security of the country.
Integrated Theater Command should be formed on priority basis, says Bajpai
Rajya Sabha MP Bajpai further said said that sometimes it is too late to take instructions from different armies and effective control is not achieved. In such a situation, Integrated Theater Command becomes very important. The Air Force, Army and Navy as well as paramilitary forces will come under the Integrated Theater Command. He has demanded from the government that Integrated Theater Command should be formed on priority basis, so that the security of the country can be further strengthened.