ORGANISATIONAL AUDIT IN THE ARMED FORCES

ORGANISATIONAL  AUDIT IN THE ARMED FORCES

I read the news report about the Government accepting a large number of recommendations of Lt Gen DB Shekhatkar to improve the teeth to tail ratio. It brought back many old memories.

In 1988-89, while doing the LDMC, I had done a study on the subject of “Organisational audit in the Defence Services”. I had selected three organisations – military farms, equine breeding studs and radio monitoring companies.  These were still in existence though they had outlived their utility.

The military farms were raised during British rule with the aim of providing milk, butter, pork  etc to British troops stationed in India.  With the departure of the British in 1947, they had become redundant. The requirement of milk was being met from civil sources, and butter and pork did not form part of the diet of Indian troops. They were occupying thousands acres of prime land, which could be diverted for building infrastructure need in cantonments such as accommodation for new raisings, workshops, schools, hospitals and so on. When submitted to Army HQ, the MF tried to justify their existence by the profit they were earning from sale of wild grass!

The equine breeding studs were raised to cater for horses for cavalry units. With the replacement of horses with tanks, they were no longer needed. The few horses needed by 61 Cavalry could be acquired from civil sources, as was being done for mules. I later learned that the proposal was shot down by the Armoured Corps.

The radio monitoring companies had been raised to monitor civilian radio links on behalf of the Ministry of Communications because the latter did have the resources at that time. They were initially sanctioned for a period of two years. Since then, the sanction is being renewed every year, though the Ministry of Communications now has adequate resources of its own. If they are disbanded, a large number of trained personnel of Signals can be reverted to Signals units, which are hard pressed for manpower. During the course, I had come to Delhi for a project study on the feasibility of repairs to B vehicles from trade. The then ADGSS called me to his office and asked me why I had made this recommendation. He said, “You know, the RMC is the only source with the CSO Command from where he and his staff can get orderlies, transport etc. And you want to do away with it.”

Cooing to the project study on the feasibility of repairs to B vehicles from trade, this had about 10 odd members, and I was the team leader. The reason for the project was that the EME had asked for a large increase in their manpower for repairs of new equipment such radar, surveillance systems, electronic warfare equipment etc. It was found that almost 80% of their manpower was employed on repairs of B vehicles, such as Willys jeeps, Nissan jongas, Tata trucks and Ambassador cars. These could easily be repaired from civil sources and the EME mechanics used for specialised equipment such as radar, surveillance systems, electronic warfare equipment which could not be repaired outside. 

During the study, we visited the factories, workshops and service centres where these vehicles were being repaired. All of them were quite keen to take it on, since it involved a lot of guaranteed income. We visited civilian facilities in border areas in Rajasthan and Punjab and found that civilian workshops were willing to undertake field repairs of vehicles even during war! They said that if civilian trucks and drivers could be hired during war, why not them? It was very heartening to see the enthusiasm of these civilian establishments. 

Half way through the project, we gave a presentation in Delhi to officers of various branches. The DGEME was very unhappy with the proposal and criticised the way we were going about it. Fortunately, AVM Kulkarni, who was then Commandant CDM, was also present. He intervened and told the DGEME that his boys were following the methods that had been taught to them and if anyone had objections, they could raise them through Army HQ once the study was completed. We later learnt that some of our recommendations, such as base repairs of Tata trucks had been given to trade.

I feel that if Gen Shekhatkar’s proposals are implemented, they will do a lot of good by reducing the flab from the Army. I hope the Government is serious about it.

01 Sep 2017