MoD to be revamped: Fernandes

The move comes in the backdrop of complaints of bureaucratic interference by the services and the recent dismissal of the navy chief, Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat, who was sacked 8220;for deliberate defiance of the established system of Cabinet control over the defence forces8221;. During the wide-ranging interview, the minister strongly defended the dismissal of Bhagwat disclosing that he was not given the option of resigning.

8220;We never considered any other option,8221; he said, when asked if the admiralhad been asked to resign. Fernandes saw no basis for apprehensions that the sacking of the naval chief will have a demoralising effect on the services.8220;I don8217;t think so. Personally, my opinion is, the defence forces are wedded to discipline and the officers at the top are to see that this is enforced very strictly. Therefore there is the right kind of atmosphere that goes down below. Everyone will understand the fact such a decision to remove Bhagwat was taken after serious consideration,8221; the minister said.Asked whether appointment of Vice Admiral Harinder Singh as Deputy Chief Of Naval Staff DCNS by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet ACC stood, Fernandes replied that the appointment on which Bhagwat differed with the government would be done after the new naval chief, Admiral Sushil Kumar, has looked into it.

On the integration of the Ministry with the services, Fernandes said he had received three different proposals from the service headquarters with some commonalities and some divergingviews besides other inputs. 8220;By this month end, you will have a wholly new structure8221;. Asked about Bhagwat8217;s comments that even a peon was given a show cause notice before being sacked, he said 8220;We never considered any other option. Withdrawal of the pleasure of the President under Article 310 of the Constitution which is manifest in Section 15 1 of the Navy Act does not not call for any show cause notice or chargesheet8221;.

When queried as to why he said he felt sad and miserable on having had to sack Bhagwat, the minister said because action of this nature was not something one liked and appreciated. 8220;But there are certain times when hard decisions have to be taken and when they are taken one feels miserable.8221; Asked if the dismissal was unavoidable, he said 8220;yes8221;.

To a question why he did not call the navy chief to sort out issues, Fernandes said Bhagwat never sought an interview with him.