A Committee of Experts (CoE) was constituted by Ministry of Defence under the Chairmanship of Lt. Gen. (Retd) DB Shekatkar to recommend measures to enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure of the armed forces.  The Committee submitted its report in December 2016.  The Report was taken up by the Ministry of Defence to frame key action points and roadmap for implementation. Some Recommendations taken up for implementation include:

• Optimization of Signals Establishments to include Radio Monitoring Companies, Corps Air Support Signal Regiments, Air Formation Signal Regiments, Composite Signal Regiments and merger of Corps Operating and Engineering Signal Regiments.
• Restructuring of repair echelons in the Army to include Base Workshops, Advance Base Workshops and Static / Station Workshops in the field Army.
• Redeployment of Ordnance echelons to include Vehicle Depots, Ordnance Depots and Central Ordnance Depots apart from streamlining inventory control mechanisms.
• Better utilization of Supply and Transportation echelons and Animal Transport Units.
• Closure of Military Farms and Army Postal Establishments in peace locations.
• Enhancement in standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army.
• Improving the efficiency of the National Cadet Corps.

Full details of the Report and its recommendations are not being placed in the public domain as operational aspects of the armed forces have also been covered, disclosure of which is not in the interest of national security.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Harish Meena in Lok Sabha today.

NAo/Nampi/Rajib/HS