6th Pay Commission and
the security forces
Sir,
Every bullet fired
in the war has a scar in a mother's breast.
History is bears testimony to the fact that
whenever there was foreign aggression, military
forces only came forward to rescue the mother
land, caring not for their lives, property and
kith and kins in this world. 24 hours engaged in
varied and difficult conditions, no matter there
is frozen snow or scorching heat of deserts, a
jawan regardless of his comforts and life, does
his duty with full dedication.
In peace and war,
whenever there is national calamity, security
forces plunge themselves undauntedly and save
others. The sound sleep the citizens enjoy is
attributed only to them. Supreme sacrifices, the
security forces registered are unparalled and
unique. The 6th Pay Commission on which great
hopes are resting, is expected to do better to
ameliorate economical status of the persons
actively engaged in defending the country in all
weather conditions and circumstances. The class
of employees that defends the country should be
kept in fore front and given lion's share to
boost its morale.
Yours etc...
Keshwa Nand Sharma
Sunder Bani
Rail link
Sir,
A letter of Mr. R
S Jamwal, published in this daily regarding 'Rail
link (9th Jan) to Kashmir by the Maharaja Pratap
Singh, who ascended on throne in 1885. This was
the period when Lord Dufferin the viceroy of
British India was disturbed by the expansionist
policy of Tsarist Russia in South Asian region.
It was felt necessary to safe guard the borders
of North Western India including Afghanistan. The
British were convinced to have a strong British
force in Kashmir ''a vital border region'' for
stationing the British troops, so establishment
of a cantonment was first essential step to be
taken in this direction.
Maharaja Pratap
Singh the ruler of Kashmir was informed about the
establishment plan of a cantonment in Srinagar
which was not liked by the Maharaja. On 14th of
January 1886, Maharaja suggested Lord Dufferin
for laying of a Railway line to connect Kashmir
with India. The suggestion was accepted by the
English and Gen-de-Bourbel surveyed the line from
Jammu to Banihal via Akhnoor, Ramban Bilchari and
Takia onwards to Verinag piercing a tunnel to
Verinag and towards Srinagar. Total cost of the
line was estimated to come Rs. 3,07,16,350 for
280 Kms line.
Govt. of India
liked the line from Gulab Garh route for
exploiting coal fields of this region and
accordingly Mr. Bensley Thorn Hill was ordered to
survey the line who completed the same in 1905
with an estimated cost of Rs. 3,34,73,596.
The resident on
the otherside, preferred Jhelum Valley via
Abottabad to Serai Kala and Domel to Srinagar.
This line was surveyed by Mr. Anderson and report
was completed in 1902 costing Rs. 2,44,93,510 as
surveys etc. But Maharaja wanted the
Jammu-Srinagar line surveyed by Gen. De-Bourbel
earlier.
The resident asked
the State Council about the financial resources
to meet the ambitious plan of linking Kashmir
with the rest of India. The State Council asked
the GOI to arrange the money needed for the
project from financial houses in England.
However, finance from open market was to be
obtained but it needed guarantee by the GOI. The
question of construction management and
jurisdiction between the State Govt. and the GOI
was to be discussed to avoid any misunderstanding
when the line was to be thrown open for traffic.
But to the
surprise of the Maharaja and the State Council
the GOI rejected all the suggestions and the
requests of the State. Govt., instead asked it to
raise the money of its own from the open market.
It was total betrayal on part of the English
Government, as the State Govt.. was unable to
meet the expenses of such a huge plan with its
meagre resources. Thus after spending Rs. 8 Lakhs
by the State. Govt. on surveys etc, the Scheme
launched with a big fanfare, was shelved
unceremoniously in 1910. The reason, why the
English were disinterested at the later stage of
the railway plan to Kashmir was the mobilisation
of British forces against Russia due to
(Panj-deh) affairs on the Northern Border of
Afghanistan which had brought both the powers on
the brink of war. But the Russians had succumbed
to the British pressure and had resorted to
peaceful means to end the expansion policy.
Yours etc...
B N Ganjoo
42-I Camp Purkhoo
Jammu
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