CDS, Dept. of Military Affairs created

A Department of Military Affairs has been created in the Ministry of Defence and it will be headed by the incoming Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, who will take charge on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Gen Rawat demited the office of Chief of the Army Staff on superannuation and Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane took charge as the 28th COAS. As per the guidelines, the DMA would deal with the armed forces; the integrated headquarters of the MoD, comprising the Army, Naval and Air and defence staff headquarters; the Territorial Army; and works relating to the three Services and procurement exclusive to them except capital acquisitions. The broad mandate of the CDS includes bringing about a jointness in “operations, logistics, transport, training, support services, communications, repairs and maintenance of the three Services, within three years of the first CDS assuming office.” The DMA’s mandate includes promoting jointness in procurement, training and staffing for the Services; facilitating restructuring of the military commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about a jointness in operations, including through the establishment of joint/theatre commands and promoting use of indigenous equipment.