Permanent COSC chief: The possibilities

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 5

A proposal to have a four-star general to be the single-point contact for tri-services issues has led to a flurry of activity in military circles.

At present, these issues are handled by the Chairman of the Chief’s of Staff Committee (COSC). The senior most among the three chief’s is appointed the COSC boss and has no fixed tenure. The tenure is co-terminus with the retirement of the senior most chief.

While deciding on the issue, the government will have to decide on the retirement age of the permanent COSC chief. All three chiefs retire at the age of 62. To appoint a soon-to-be-retiring chief would mean hiking the retirement age to 64 years to allow him a substantial tenure.

In case NAK Browne is appointed to the post, no seniority issue will crop up in the IAF. Air Marshal Arup Raha has been designated as the next Air Chief. But in case General Bikram Singh is appointed as the permanent COSC chief between January 1 and June 30, Lt General Anil Chait-the senior most Army Commander-may become the Chief of Army Staff.

Rarely has the government overlooked seniority while appointing chiefs of the three services. Lt General Chait retires on June 30, 2014, and General Bikram Singh retires a month later on July 31.

In case Gen Chait becomes the Army Chief, Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, the Eastern Army Commander-now inline to succeed General Bikram Singh-will lose out.

His appointment as the Vice-Chief of the Army, replacing Lt Gen SK Singh-retiring on December 31, 2013-awaits government clearance.

Another possibility is that of appointing the current Vice-Chief of Army Staff General SK Singh to the post. He superannuates on December 31. Alternatively, Lt General Chait can also be the COSC chief.

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