NEW DELHI:Breaking traditions, defence minister Manohar Parrikar has
hired a retired IAF officer to coordinate between his ministry and the
Services, which has always been a ticklish issue. Air Marshal (retd.) P P
Reddy, who was heading the office of the Chief of Integrated Defence
Staff till March, has been appointed as a consultant in Parrikar’s
office.
Reddy, an ex- fighter pilot, was handling the tri-services’ planning
and acquisitions as chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman
Chiefs of Staff Committee. “The minister wanted to use Air Marshal
Reddy’s expertise in resolving issues related to the tri-services. His
duties include coordination between the ministry and the Services, and
assisting the defence minister in having a better understanding of
Services’ matters,” an official said.Usually, the defence
minister has a private secretary, an IAS officer who looks after his
engagements and meetings. Then there is an Officer on Special Duty, who
explains files and communications to the minister. An official said
bureaucrats don’t understand the requirements of the Services, which
eventually reflect in the ministry’s decision-making “and creates
resentment amongst the Services. An defence official will reduce
friction between babus and defence personnel and will hasten
decision-making”.
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