What is LAC Management Mechanism
It must be kept in mind that the LAC as a concept has evolved over many years post 1962 debacle when Nehru had ordered the withdrawal of troop down to Leh, Guwahati and Tezpur. Chinese pulled back and declaring went 20 km away from their perceived border leaving behind a line of posts as their occupation.
Indian administration literally crept towards the Chinese occupation line and it took them nearly 20 to 30 years to reach the line in the proximity of the Chinese. One can very well imagine the effects of a lost war on the psyche of the vanquished, First it was state police followed by Paramilitary force like Assam Rifles and CRPF who inched forward in the name of maintaining law and order and then they were closely followed by the Army. It is a history unto itself and the defense enthusiasts must study it. It was an exercise of regaining thousands of Sq Km of territory.
It subsequent to regaining control and deployment in forward areas that the concept of LAC started coming in vogue including in interaction between the two governments.
LAC Management Actors
LAC management is not so simple as one would like to belive. Following permanent or temporary actors are involved in it ;
*NSA
* PMO
* MEA
* MoD and the Army (IAF and Navy to lesser extent)
* MHA and CAPF (ITBP in this case)
* R&AW
* IB
* Military Survey as also Survey of India
* Sate govt, distt administration and state police.
* Commerce Ministry (for trade activities)
* Ministry of Raod and Transport.
* Railway and Ministry of Petrolium and fuel.
* And most of the time a study group called China Study Group (CSG) under a colonel in MHA who provide inputs and policy guidelines.
Mangement Mechanism, MEA and the Army are generally the largest players of the game along with ITBP. However, R&AW as also IB also provides their inputs. The decision are taken collectively and conveyed to the NSA and PMO. The final approval may come from PMO or CCS which then is passed down to the executive agency.
What are the Shortcomings We all know that where ever there is the bureaucracy involved the biggest shortcoming is lack of coordination on grounds in execution and liaison. Everyone is on his own and all start working as lost cows (Gawachi Gaya). Unfortunately, the buck always stops at Army.
