National Security management : Challenges

Security Issues Security Agencies

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In 1998 , on the recommendations of a high level task force set up by the BJP led coalition came up with a 3-tier setup for national security management vis-à-vis National Security council ( NSC ) , Stratgic policy group ( SPG ) and National security advisory board ( NSAB ).

NSC dysfunctioning- NSC comprises of members from cabinet committee on security. Meetings of NSC are very rare hence no deliberations and discussions take place. Hence impromptu decision making is evident in the few meetings held posing an imminent threat to security management.
INSTITUTIONAL DYSFUNCTIONING-Govt. is trying to do away with the novel initiative of NSAB to discuss security issues . India’s nuclear planning has come to a standstill . NATGRID-an intelligence institution maintaining a metadata intelligence grid by networking multiple datasets available for various agencies is also not fully operational now hampering institutional coordination.
INTELLIGENCE DYSFUNCTIONING- Both IB ( Intelligence bureau ) and RAW ( Research and Analysis wing ) are short staffed. An acute shortage of foreign language speakers is visible in the departments. At present only 3 arabic translators are there in the bureaus at a time when Islamic fundamentalism is on a rise.
CHIEF OF DEFENSE STAFF- demand for the chief of defense staff as a single authoritative and integrated source of military advice in case of an imminent danger has been voiced by many strategist and military personnel . it is a pre-requisite for ensuring an optimal level of jointness among different wings of armed forces and a single point military advice to the government.
NSRA Bill – The nuclear safety regulation bill that lapsed in 2011 has seen a lack luster approach to revamp it . revamping the bill is predominantly required owing to nuclear accidents like heavy duty water leak at Kakrapar power station , Gujarat. The issue needs to be addresses quicky.

The institutional , intelligence and legislative dysfunctioning is evident in various recent terrorist attacks( gurdaspur attack ) , rising of Islamic fundamentalism in Kashmir and the nuclear leak at kakrapar. To strengthen the existing system via appropriate reforms is a dire need for the security of the nation.