Act seeks to empower Commander-in-Chief (C-i-C) and Officer-in Command (O-i-C) of Inter-Services Organizations (ISOs) with all disciplinary and administrative powers over the serving or attached personnel.
- ISO is a body of troops including a Joint Services Command consisting of persons, subject to Air Force Act, 1950, Army Act, 1950, and Navy Act, 1957, or any two of the said Acts.
- Presently, the C-i-Cs or O-i-Cs of ISOs are not empowered to exercise disciplinary or administrative powers over the personnel belonging to other services.
Key highlights of the Act
- ISO: Central government may constitute an ISO with personnel belonging to at least two of the three services: Army, Navy and Air Force.
- Existing ISOs (Andaman & Nicobar Command, Defense Space Agency, and National Defense Academy) shall be deemed to be constituted under the Act.
- Commanding Officer (CO): Provides for CO to command a unit, ship, or establishment, who can initiate all disciplinary or administrative actions over personnel.
- Applicability: To all personnel of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and to persons of other forces as notified by the Central Government.
Significance
- Expeditious disposal of cases, avoiding multiple proceedings, reducing financial burdens, greater integration and jointness among Armed Forces, etc.