BJP puts ‘margdarshak’ Joshi’s Himalayan Regiment idea on hold

The move to set up a separate ‘Himalayan Regiment’ as proposed by the BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi, who was recently inducted into the ‘margdarshak mandal’ (guiding group), was reportedly dropped by the NDA government citing ‘not immediate priority’ as a reason.

The shunting of the idea of ‘Himalayan Regiment’ has once again put the party veteran Joshi in a humiliating situation. Earlier, he was not considered for the ministerial post considering his age and later was not included in the party’s highest decision making body – Central Parliamentary Board — . Now, his idea of ‘Himalayan Regiment’ too has been put down.

Joshi had stressed for a separate ‘Himalayan Regiment’ to save the Himalayas and claimed that the Himalayas are not a different entity from Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Darjeeling and Nepal. ‘It is one. It is one system. Therefore there should be proper arrangements for its security and we had also mentioned in our manifesto that the responsibility to safeguard the Himalayas lies with the entire country,’ he said.

However, informed sources said the idea of ‘Himalayan Regiment’ has been put on hold for an indefinite period. ‘In the midst of so many challenges, this is not on the priority list of the NDA government. In future, if demand for such regiment arises then it will be discussed later,’ party sources said.

He said, ‘Those in the government feel that the idea of a separate regiment for Himalayan region will not be required when we have so many wings of paramilitary forces, which is already engaged in providing national security including Himalayan region. Also, the idea could put an additional burden on the national exchequer.’

Even, union finance minister in his budget speech didn’t announce any special fund for a dedicated regiment for the Himalayan region. All he had announced the allocation of Rs 100 crore for the training of sports women and men of the Himalayan region for the forthcoming Asian and Commonwealth games.

Then he said, ‘Unique sports traditions have developed in the Himalayan region in the countries and the states that are a part of it. To promote these, India will start an annual event to promote these games and would invite countries such as Nepal and Bhutan also to participate in addition to the Indian states such as J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and the north eastern states.’

‘There is a great need to increase the capacity in the country for Himalayan Studies. I propose to set up a National Centre for Himalayan Studies in Uttarakhand with an initial outlay of Rs 100 crore,’ Jaitley said, without uttering a word on package for the Himalayan Regiment.

It was learnt that Joshi had suggested for a dedicated fund, which can be termed as Himalaya Sustainability Fund for the purpose and experts could be roped in for their suggestions to make this initiative a great success.

Sources said, ‘He has also asked some of the senior party leaders to consider several measures for the interest of the nation. But it seems that the idea was dropped as prime minister Narendra Modi wanted to have a re-look in to the matter before coming in to any conclusion.’