
Context: Recently, Rajya Sabha passed the Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill, 2023.
Highlight of Bill
- Aim: To provide commanders-in-chief and officers-in command of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) with disciplinary and administrative power over personnel from other forces serving in such establishments.
 
- Objective: It will ensure better coordination among the three services and bolster the integrated structure. 
 
- Present Condition: Currently, armed forces personnel are governed in accordance with the provisions contained in their specific Service Acts – Army Act 1950, Navy Act 1957 and Air Force Act 1950. 
 
Feature of the Bill:
| Constituting Inter-services Organisation (ISO):  | 
- Existing Inter-services Organisations will be deemed to have been constituted under the Bill.  
 
- These include the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the Defence Space Agency, and the National Defence Academy.  
 
- Personnel of ISO will belong to at least two of the three services: the army, the navy, and the air force.  
 
- ISO will also include a Joint Services Command, which may be placed under the command of a Commander-in-Chief.
 
 
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| Control of Inter-services Organisations:  | 
- The Bill empowers the Commander-in-Chief or the Officer-in-Command of an ISO to exercise command and control over the personnel serving in or attached to it. 
 
- He would be responsible for maintaining discipline and ensuring proper discharge of duties by the service personnel.
 
 
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|  Role of Government: | 
- Superintendence of an ISO will be vested in the central government.  
 
- The government will issue directions to such organisations on grounds of national security, general administration, or public interest. 
 
- Other forces under central government: The central government may notify any force raised and maintained in India to which the Bill will apply. 
- This would be in addition to army, navy, and air force personnel.
 
 
 
 
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| Eligibility of Commander-in-Chief: | 
- A General Officer of the regular Army (above the rank of Brigadier). Or
 
- A Flag Officer of the Navy (rank of Admiral of the Fleet, Admiral, Vice-Admiral, or Rear-Admiral). Or 
 
- An Air Officer of the Air Force (above the rank of group captain).
 
 
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| Function of Commander-in-Chief: | 
- He will be empowered to exercise all disciplinary and administrative powers vested in: 
 
 
(i) General Officer Commanding the Army, 
(ii) Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of a Naval Command,  
(iii) Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of an Air Command,  
(iv) any other officer/authority specified in the service Acts, 
(v) any other officer/authority notified by the government.  | 
| Commanding Officer (CO):  | 
- CO will be in command of a unit, ship, or establishment.  
 
- The officer will also perform duties assigned by the Commander-in-Chief or Officer-in-Command of the Inter-services Organisation.  
 
- CO will be empowered to initiate all disciplinary or administrative actions over the personnel appointed, posted, or attached to that ISO.
 
 
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News Source: Indian Express