MHA refuses to pay for Rashtriya Rifles’ upkeep

The raising of the Rashtriya Rifles proved to be the decisive factor in checking insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. While this force, despite being drawn from differing military backgrounds, managed to provide the much needed spine upon which operations could be sustained, it also shattered Pakistan’s dreams of draining the Army through the proxy war.

With the Rashtriya Rifles battalions being in the forefront, the Army was no longer required to move its reserve formations. In raising the Rashtriya Rifles to full strength, the Army has had to dig into its war-wastage reserves, with the best available vehicles, weapons and radio sets.

In fact the Rashtriya Rifles units were even the first to receive bullet-proof jackets and patkas. With manpower drawn from all its arms and services the Army has had to deal with serious shortages in many of its conventional units, for Rashtriya Rifles battalions are maintained at full authorised strength.

And this includes the full complement of training and first-line ammunition. The total amount spent by the Army thus far is Rs 950 crore, and despite much exchange of correspondence between North and South Block, no progress can be seen.

The MHA seemed almost callous and unsympathetic towards the Army, When contacted, officials of the MHA said there was no question of paying the Army for the Rashtriya Rifles. “When we do not exercise control over the force why should the money spent be reimbursed to the Army?” an official retorted. “This force was just a way for the Army to create extra promotions,” he said.

Another official responded by stating that “We had suggested at that time to give us the money and allow us to raise additional battalions for the central police organisations.”