The Indian Army, known for its professionalism and highest integrity, is at risk of losing its identity and being misused to score political advances. Discuss the above statement with respect to diversion of armed forces to do civilian work.
Refer – The Indian Express
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
Diversion from their routine
· Following the tragic incident at Elphinstone Bridge, it was announced that army engineers would be used to construct three railway footbridges in Mumbai.
· In 2016, the government had asked army engineers to make a pontoon bridge in the Yamuna flood plains for a mega event of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
· In 2010, when a foot-bridge fell days before the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the army engineers came in to erect a bridge in double-quick time.
· The army also makes pontoon bridges during the Kumbh mela.
· Indian army was also used to restore communication in inaccessible areas after natural disasters.
Implications
· “The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war”.
· Such diversion violates a fundamental principle of a modern military that during peace-time, it must be left free to prepare for war.
· Civilian jobs seem to be less incentive, compared to Indian Army’s objective of safeguarding borders and national security.
· It erodes the Indian Army’s identity and over burdened its already tedious operations.
· Moreover, these civilian jobs can be done with local engineering resources, technical expertise and funds.
· Even private infrastructure creation agencies are available in India to do such activities.
· If extended to other spheres of governance, it holds potentially negative consequences for the delicate balance of civil-military relations.
· It reinforces the belief that the army can provide an effective substitute for inefficient civilian institutions.
