Indian Army loses battle for firing range on Pakistan border

[arp2041]

The Indian Army’s plans for a manoeuvring training range close to the Pakistan border in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, has received a setback. A high-level committee comprising officials of the defence and petroleum ministries, set up to resolve the contentious issue, has rejected the army’s request for land in the area for it.

The petroleum ministry has opposed the army’s proposal despite assurances by the latter that its military training programmes will not affect oil and gas exploration work.

Many blocks in the said region have been allotted to M/s Focus Energy Ltd, ONGC and other oil companies for exploration purpose and the petroleum ministry feels that the army’s project cannot co-exist with this work. Not losing hope, the army raised the issue with senior officials of the defence ministry at the army Commanders Conference held in New Delhi last week.

“We have communicated our stand to the top brass of the ministry of defence to take up the issue with the ministry of petroleum and natural gas,” a senior army officer said.

Defence ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar refused to comment on the issue despite a detailed questionnaire sent to him by DNA. Rajasthan principal secretary (mines and petroleum) has proposed that an alternative site be considered for the army’s training range, and highlighted the need and feasibility for both the army and Focus Energy to co-exist.

Since Operation Vijay and Operation Parakram, the army has been pushing hard to acquire around 1.88 lakh hectares of land at Shahgarh Bulge, barely 10 km from the Line of Control. The project which has “in principle” approval of the defence ministry, has been hanging in the balance after reserves of oil and gas were found in the same area.

“It is recommended that formal acquisition of the land be undertaken immediately after exploration is complete and specific areas required be earmarked by the end of 2013. The ministry of petroleum, oil and natural gas be asked to indicate a firm date for the same to enable pre-acquisition formalities to be undertaken in a timely manner and to ensure that this period is not unduly extended,” the committee observed. The committee has not been able to arrive at a unanimous view on co-existence of the army range and oil exploration company.

The army is already facing acute shortage of field ranges and has taken up the matter with several civil authorities. About 10 years ago, the army had 104 ranges across the country but the number has come down to 66 including 12 acquired and 54 notified ranges. Thirty-eight field firing ranges have been taken away from the army and re-notified in this period, the army claims.

Oil vs Army

Army says its military training programmes will not affect oil and gas exploration work, but petroleum ministry has opposed its proposal. Many blocks in the said region have been allotted to M/s Focus Energy Ltd, ONGC and other oil companies for exploration purpose. Rajasthan principal secretary (mines and petroleum) has proposed that an alternative site be considered for the army’s training range. About 10 years ago, the army had 104 ranges across the country but the number has come down to 66


Indian Army loses battle for firing range on Pakistan border | idrw.org

 

[Kloitra]

Oil vs Army

Army says its military training programmes will not affect oil and gas exploration work, but petroleum ministry has opposed its proposal. Many blocks in the said region have been allotted to M/s Focus Energy Ltd, ONGC and other oil companies for exploration purpose. Rajasthan principal secretary (mines and petroleum) has proposed that an alternative site be considered for the army’s training range. About 10 years ago, the army had 104 ranges across the country but the number has come down to 66

Hard to believe that one limb of govt would not try to slow down the other.
Oil takes precedence. Army can train somewhere else, oil cannot be shifted.

 

[IndoUS]

Hard to believe that one limb of govt would not try to slow down the other.
Oil takes precedence. Army can train somewhere else, oil cannot be shifted.

Yes but look at their training range bases they have come down from 104 to 66.

 

[A.Rafay]

Yes but look at their training range bases they have come down from 104 to 66.

Time for the mighty Pakistani army to penetrate Rajasthan !

 

[IndoUS]

Time for the mighty Pakistani army to penetrate Rajasthan !

Come on man we already discussed it on the other thread find a new way to troll

 

[Kloitra]

Yes but look at their training range bases they have come down from 104 to 66.

If they want it in some other place, it is hard to stop them from acquiring land. Any natural resource of importance, be it oil, coal etc should take precedence. There is still vast amount of 'barren' land out there for them to train. The areas under military control are hard to work with.

 

[Pak_Sher]

Time for the mighty Pakistani army to penetrate Rajasthan !

Or dig up wells on this side of the border to get the oil and gas.

 

[ajtr]

Time for the mighty Pakistani army to penetrate Rajasthan !

kyon ret khaane ka bada shok hai.

 

[scorpionx]

Time for the mighty Pakistani army to penetrate Rajasthan !

Penetration like these?

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Hard to believe that one limb of govt would not try to slow down the other.
Oil takes precedence. Army can train somewhere else, oil cannot be shifted.

Yes indeed! Not to forget that even the Army needs Oil to run!

 

[sasi]

Training range is reduced to 66 due to army's mismangement. Some are lost due to land mafia occupying adjacent land and constructing buildings,training field become useless or limited to certain extent.
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Some are in temporary lease. After lease expiry,state govt. forced army to give the land to them in the name of development. There's time they should have make it permanent.
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After adarsh only,we hear this kind of news. If it didn't happen,we may lose some more ranges. Now mafia-politco nexus come to surface.

 

[Shimly]

Or dig up wells on this side of the border to get the oil and gas.

nice thinking dear

Training range is reduced to 66 due to army's mismangement. Some are lost due to land mafia occupying adjacent land and constructing buildings,training field become useless or limited to certain extent.
|
Some are in temporary lease. After lease expiry,state govt. forced army to give the land to them in the name of development. There's time they should have make it permanent.
|
After adarsh only,we hear this kind of news. If it didn't happen,we may lose some more ranges. Now mafia-politco nexus come to surface.

Dude indians should send their some of army officers to be trained by pak army to expand their firing ranges because pak army is expert in this matter

 

[sasi]

nice thinking dear



Dude indians should send their some of army officers to be trained by pak army to expand their firing ranges because pak army is expert in this matter

I think,You should know more abt pak army experts. When they surrender to us in large nos. in 1971 or completely disown their fellow men and run like cowards in kargil.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Or dig up wells on this side of the border to get the oil and gas.

I find it hard to believe Pakistan is so stupid It wouldn't do this off its own back but only does this in response to India!!

 

[janon]

Time for the mighty Pakistani army to penetrate Rajasthan !

Dude indians should send their some of army officers to be trained by pak army to expand their firing ranges because pak army is expert in this matter