[Reader-list] News Items posted on the net on Multipurpose National Identity Cards-4

[Taha Mehmood]

*
*

*
*

*
http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2001/rmay2001/23052001/r2305200110.html
*

*May 23, 2001 *
* *

*GROUP OF MINISTERS' REPORT ON "REFORMING THE NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM"*
* *

  *  A* comprehensive systemic overhaul of the country's security and
intelligence apparatus in keeping with the technological revolution and the
need for integrated management structures was unfolded by the Group of
Ministers (GOM) in a report submitted by them to PM on February 26, 2001.
The GOM had been set up in April 2000 to review the national security system
in its entirety and in particular to consider the recommendations of the
Kargil Review Committee and formulate specific proposals for implementation.
The GOM under the Chairmanship of Shri L.K. Advani also included the Defence
Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister.

    The GOM held 27 meetings in all. In order to facilitate its work, it had
set up 4 Task Forces one each on Intelligence Apparatus, Internal Security,
Border Management and Management of Defence. These Task Forces were
multi-disciplinary in character and were made up of acknowledged experts.

    The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) considered the GOM report on 11
th May, 2001 and decided that the recommendation in respect of the
institution of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) be considered later, after
Government is able to consult various political parties. It accepted all
other recommendations contained in the GOM report.

    The establishment of an Intelligence Coordination Group (ICG) and
Technology Coordination Group (TCG), working in close tandem with National
Technical Facility Organisation (NTFO), are among the major elements
recommended in the area of Intelligence. The *ICG* will provide for
systematic intelligence oversight at the apex level and inter-alia deal
with:

• Allocation of resources to the intelligence agencies

• Consideration of annual reviews on the quality of inputs

• Approve the annual tasking for intelligence collection

• Oversee the functions of intelligence agencies

• Examine national estimates and forecasts

    The Technology Coordination (Group will coordinate and regulate plans
for acquisition of all new costly major strategic facilities/equipment by
the intelligence agencies and generally oversee the TECHINT capabilities of
the intelligence agencies as well as examine issues relating to allocation
of funds for this purpose. The NTFO will. inter-alia plan design set up and
operate any major new strategic and expensive TECHINT facilities as approved
by *TCG* keeping in view the rapid convergence now taking place among
hitherto different technologies.

    The appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff, with administrative control
over India's Strategic Forces Command, as the focal point for military
advice to the Government, a holistic 15-20 year Defence Perspective Plan,
subject to rigorous inter and infra service prioritisation backed by a
Defence Procurement Board that gives it teeth, and the creation of a joint
Services Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) are among other critical elements
in the new higher defence management structure. In addition, the progressive
decentralisation of decision making and delegation of powers to Service
Headquarters is envisaged with the latter becoming Integrated Headquarters
of the Ministry of Defence rather than "Attached Offices".

    Defence information relations are to be revamped at headquarters
together with quick-responding media cells in field formations.

    The establishment of a National Defence University will help imbue
governance with an appropriate strategic culture.

    "Civil defence" and the mobilisation of civil society have not been
ignored. The Economic Intelligence Council is to be refurbished and given a
wider mandate. The State Police and Central para-military forces are to be
modernised with a new orientation being given to weapons, equipment and
training. :

    Border Management is to be re-fashioned on a one-border-one-force
principle so as to obviate problems of conflict in command and control and
Sack of accountability arising from a multiplicity of forces on the same
border. They are to be used exclusively for border guarding activities and
not, as a rule, withdrawn for internal security disturbances etc. They are
furthermore to be appropriately strengthened, trained and equipped with
weapons on par with related army units when deployed on similar tasks. The
Coast Guard is to be strengthened and a specialised Marine Police to be
raised in all coastal States and island territories. Sanctity of Indian
airspace is to be safeguarded inter-alia through procurement of additional
low level transportable radars, integrated air command and control systems,
integration of national radar resources, revamp of airspace management of
coastal and island territories etc.

    These structures will be backed up by a rejuvenated Civil Defence
Organisation, village and ward defence committees and a revamped criminal
justice system backed by laws and regulations appropriate to emerging
circumstances. The programme to institute a multi-purpose National Identity
Card is to be vigorously pursued, commencing with all border districts.

    Modalities are to be evolved for involving youth in national service in
conformity with the spirit of Article 51 A(d) of the Constitution quite
apart from expanding the NCC and Territorial Army.

    In a remarkably short span of a little more than a year since the Kargil
Review Committee reported, the GOM and the four Task Forces set up by it,
have completed a very intensive and exhaustive analytical exercise through
an interactive and participatory process involving field operatives, users,
the scientific community and civil and military decision-makers. What has
emerged therefore is a closely deliberated and widely accepted .programme of
action, ports of which ore already on the ground or in the process or
implementation. These touch on the most sensitive and complex iss'ues and
institutions of national security in its widest sense and position the
country to meet the security challenges of the 21st Century.

    The new structures anticipate current and emerging security threats:
nuclear-missile, cyber-information. technological innovation and, not least,
international Terrorism, low intensity conflict and proxy war. These are new
and innovative organisational platforms capable of flexible responses and
not Just upgradations of yesterday's systems. The participation of key
political players, National Security Adviser, Cabinet Secretary, the
Services. Paramilitary, Police and Intelligence Chiefs, and the Principal
Scientific Adviser to the Government in the entire exercise ensures the
necessary political will, financial commitment and operational backup to
secure what constitutes radical systemic change.