Insensitive Home Ministry & Ineffective PMO by S. Sankaran
THREE Rs: Requests, Recommendations, Reactions and Remedies:
Requests: The COBRA which stands for Combat Battalion for Resolute Action was formed to tackle the well armed and organized Naxal groups with 10000 strong men geared for guerilla warfare with latest equipments and outfits. The force had made demands, among other things, for the special reinforced helmets of 1000 as the initial supply for the force to the Home Ministry recently.
Recommendations: The Home Ministry, on considering their requests, had restricted the supply just to 10 helmets only. The stand taken by the home ministry was based on the presumption that only ‘leaders’ needed the specially toughened helmets rather than all 900 personnel in a battalion. The Ministry had justified their stand on the view that personnel ‘leading’ an operation were more vulnerable to enemy fire as they tended to stand out and that Maoist groups were adept at spotting commanders to target them. The ministry had reiterated that there was hardly any way to ensure no other personnel came in the line of fire.
Reactions: The PMO had felt that the lives of all irrespective of cadres could hardly be valued differently in a combat zone and it was tragic to restrict the purchase of helmets, as the cost of each helmet, which is Rs.1000/-only, is not also exorbitant.
Remedies: What are the remedies for such a state of affairs? ‘Decentralization’ is the answer. The PMO should have grabbed the issue and pulled up the Home Ministry and supplied the necessary helmets straight to the force. The British model of red-tapism should be buried fathom deep and ‘paperless decision’ which defy delay, should be resorted to. Overall control could be ensured and accountability could be fixed at all levels. Such merciless mindset amongst the bureaucrats should be overhauled to ensure the safety of forces thereby ensuring the safety of the nation in return.
Satyameva Jayate!
Jai Hind!
Requests: The COBRA which stands for Combat Battalion for Resolute Action was formed to tackle the well armed and organized Naxal groups with 10000 strong men geared for guerilla warfare with latest equipments and outfits. The force had made demands, among other things, for the special reinforced helmets of 1000 as the initial supply for the force to the Home Ministry recently.
Recommendations: The Home Ministry, on considering their requests, had restricted the supply just to 10 helmets only. The stand taken by the home ministry was based on the presumption that only ‘leaders’ needed the specially toughened helmets rather than all 900 personnel in a battalion. The Ministry had justified their stand on the view that personnel ‘leading’ an operation were more vulnerable to enemy fire as they tended to stand out and that Maoist groups were adept at spotting commanders to target them. The ministry had reiterated that there was hardly any way to ensure no other personnel came in the line of fire.
Reactions: The PMO had felt that the lives of all irrespective of cadres could hardly be valued differently in a combat zone and it was tragic to restrict the purchase of helmets, as the cost of each helmet, which is Rs.1000/-only, is not also exorbitant.
Remedies: What are the remedies for such a state of affairs? ‘Decentralization’ is the answer. The PMO should have grabbed the issue and pulled up the Home Ministry and supplied the necessary helmets straight to the force. The British model of red-tapism should be buried fathom deep and ‘paperless decision’ which defy delay, should be resorted to. Overall control could be ensured and accountability could be fixed at all levels. Such merciless mindset amongst the bureaucrats should be overhauled to ensure the safety of forces thereby ensuring the safety of the nation in return.
Satyameva Jayate!
Jai Hind!
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