INDIA is reported to have deployed 700,000 paramilitary troopers to suppress freedom-fighters. These troopers are part of the Indian defence force, as such their pay, perks, board and lodging and medicare are part of the Indian defence budget.

However, this deployment entails additional costs which have not been computed by academics and outspoken journalists.

These include transport cost for deployment from their various locations, additional camps and cantonments for housing, transport costs for daily patrolling, costs for the use of weapons, bullets, pellets, grenades and artillery shells, tear-gas canisters, water cannons and barbed wire barriers.

Let us also take into consuderation replacements due to attrition, relief, retirement, cost of aircraft, helicopters and vehicles destroyed. Assuming a very reasonable cost of Re1 per paratrooper a day, the total amounts to astronomical figures: Rs700,000 x Re 1 a day, comes to Rs700,000.

Now Rs700,000 x 365 = Rs 255,500,000 a year, which in turn total Rs 255,500,000 x 70 years = Rs17,885,000,000. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other costs, especially casualties.

Khaab

Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2018