Government launches surgical strike on higher military service pay
Narendra Modi is the first PM to have used the army for political gains. He sought votes in the name of soldiers who were dying in Kashmir during the Lok Sabha elections. He had assured to avenge the death of our soldiers tooth to tooth and nail to nail. But then, he secretly went to Pakistan, accepted Nawaz Sharif's hospitality, ate biryani at his residence and returned home to hear about more soldiers being killed. Though this was humiliating for the government, he tried to take undue credit for the alleged surgical strike that was to have carried out by our soldiers.
Though he says our soldiers have destroyed the terrorist camps on Pakistan's side, the strikes still continue to claim the lives of our soldiers. Moreover, surgical strike is something that has been continuing since a long time through all other governments as well, including during the time or Manmohan Singh as the PM but the Congress had never used it for publicity. In fact, no Prime Minister in the past had ever used it for their benefit.
During the time of Indira Gandhi as the PM, Indian army separated Bangladesh and Pakistan through a war and brought freedom to Bangladesh. Even after that, Congress never used it for gains. But the central government sent out a circular insisting that surgical strike be celebrated as an annual occasion. BJP set the path to insult the supreme sacrifice made by the soldiers by using it for the benefit of the party. The party has made millions in profit for their most favoured company, Reliance ensuring they reap benefit in thousands of crores through Rafale deal. Unfortunately, Modi who speaks on anything and everything, has gone totally silent as far as Rafale is concerned.
Media has already reported that Bofors is nothing compared to the Rafal scam. By ensuring that no investigation takes place, the central government has indicated rather clearly that it has a big role to play in this scam. Pretending to be so caring about the army and other defence forces, Modi spends festivals with them and does not lose a single opportunity to pose for pictures with them for publicity. But the real concern of the government about military has come to light only two days ago. The government has flatly rejected the plea by armed forces that their Military Service Pay needs to be honest from Rs 5,500 to RS 10,000.
Office of Army Chief has expressed displeasure over this decision which has affected the lives of over 1.12 lakh army personnel who would have to live without a hike for some more time. The reason given by the government for this decision is that the the government would suffer a financial burden of Rs 610 cr. The politicians who roam in cars, enjoy facilities by the governor and literally live a life of luxury with regular pay hikes approved by their own self, They hardly spare a thought for someone else.
Why did the government think of financial burden only when it had to pay the army personnel? Soldiers don't just fight with enemies such as China or Pakistan, but also with rain, snow, bed bugs, mosquitoes and hunger, pain and most discomforting conditions that the normal people never get to face. The army men guard the border of the country under most dire conditions that are highly unimaginable too. Their hunger, need for sleep, time with family and other aspects affect them very badly. The number of soldiers killed owing to avalanche is much higher than those who died that the hands of enemies. We all know what happened go that soldier who exposed the poor quality of food served to the army men. At times like this, even a small hike in their salaries would have given them some relief and our acknowledgement of their supreme sacrifice would have brought them some relief.
We all need to remember one thing. Most of the soldiers serving in Kashmir borders usually reach home with a lot of I'll was plaguing their body. No media would ever show their struggles. There are so many who have lost their legs owing to conditions like braving the snow. A big number of soldiers are committing suicide every year owing to depression and other related psychological issues. To hike their pay, the government uses the pretext of financial deficit. But this financial burden was never an issue with the government deciding to erect the statue of Unity of Sardar Patel at a cost of more than Rs 3000 crores. The government is willing to spend a lot more money on the statue of Ram and Shivaji, setting up iron structures that serve no purpose to anyone. Those thousands of crores set aside for such statues can be used for the benefit of soldiers and their families.
Sardar Patel brought Goa and other territories using the same army. Helping the army with aid would have been beneficial and a befitting tribute to Sardar Patel and also to the the contribution of soldiers. The massive status is an insult done to Patel. The central government that uses the pretext of army at the drop of a hat, should know this decision to reject improved pay for the personnel is nothing less than a surgical strike on them. This is the heights of shamelessness of those who rule us.
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No more street vending on B’luru’s main roads, as govt plans to bring new policy for street hawkers
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government has decided to formulate a new policy for footpaths in Bengaluru, under which street vending will not be allowed on main roads and sub-main roads.
Addressing the media after a budget preparation meeting and executive meeting of GBA corporations at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said discussions were held with MLAs from the GBA region regarding the corporations’ budgets and key civic issues.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok also participated in the meeting and shared his views. Officials from multiple departments, including police, BESCOM, BMRCL, BWSSB and BDA, along with ministers and legislators, were present.
He stated that all five municipalities have prepared their individual budgets, while MLAs have submitted their demands, including calls for ward-wise grants.
“We have decided to bring a new policy for footpaths. Citizens are struggling to walk as footpaths are encroached upon by street vendors,” Shivakumar said.
Highlighting the need to balance livelihoods and public convenience, he added that “a separate space will be provided for street vendors, and specific roads will be designated for their business,” ensuring that pedestrians can use footpaths without obstruction. He noted that there was unanimous agreement among MLAs on this approach.
Issuing a warning to vendors, Shivakumar said that authorities will act against those violating the rules. “If vendors operate during the day and leave their carts on the roadside at night, authorities will clear them. People should be aware of this,” he said.
Providing data on street vendors, he said that around 60,000 vendors have registered so far, of which 30,000 have applied for vehicles, and a tender has already been floated.
“Only those with street vendor identity cards will be allowed to do business. Those without ID cards will not be permitted to operate on the streets,” he added.
