The central government is believed to have dropped immediate plans to appoint a four-star general in the shape of a new tri-service chief or Chief of Defense Staff, a decision that could have been prompted by the row that the appointment of the new Army chief, superseding two of his seniors, has kicked off.
According to a report in Times of India, the plan to have a permanent CoSC chairman was still being fine-tuned which is part of higher management reforms.
The report temporarily puts an end to the speculation that the Eastern Command chief Lt-General Praveen Bakshi, who was superseded by Lt-Gen Bipin Rawat for the post Chief of Army Staff, may be accomodated to the rank of CDS.
"There are complex issues of functional roles, structures, interfaces and charters involved in the deliberations, which are also being examined by some committees. The Union Cabinet will also finally have to approve everything. All this is not going to happen by December 31," TOI quoted its source as saying.
So, it remains to be seen whether Lt-Gens Bakshi and Hariz would like to serve under Lt-Gen Rawat after he takes over the reins of the 1.3-million strong Army on December 31. Lt-Gen Rawat, who was born in March 1958, will get a full three-year term as the chief. A Service chief is appointed for a term of three years or till the age of 62, whichever is earlier.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Bakshi, the senior-most officer in the Indian Army, is slated to meet Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday, days after being superseded by Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat in leading the force.
