Cabinet approves creation of chief of defence staff

Janjivan Bureau / New Delhi ; The central government on Tuesday announced the creation of a post of Chief of Defence Staff in the rank of 4-Star General with a payscale equivalent to the three service chiefs.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javdekar, who announced the decision at a press conference, would head the Department of Military Affairs, which would be under the Ministry of Defence.
Importantly, the CDS will function as its secretary, indicating that the list will enjoy powers to use the Budget.
The powers of the secretary are also vested with the chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Under the existing system the three service chiefs suggest or recommend work that is then financially approved by the defence secretary or the secretary defence production.