'Report on the Persian Army' [‎75v] (150/170)

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camps. They are as a rule without any other military training
than that of the ordinary regimental officer. They retain their
quasi staff appointments just as long as their masters, and then
become lost in the great army of the non-employed but fully
paid officer. The nearest approach to a staff officer is to be
found in the Adjutan Bashi, or Chief of the Staff, who. is
evidently an embryo of the Btat-Major ol European armies.
This officer assembles the troops for review and acts as a
master of ceremonies on the occasion of military durbars A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). in
the Palace; otherwise his duties are nil. The choice of officers
for the positions of Adjutan Bashi, Adjutan, etc., is one 01
favouritism tempered by purchase.
Pay Department, Vazarat-i-Lashkar.
Compoaition
of.
Duties of.
Preparation
of the army
budget.
Remarks on
(he prepara-
of the bud
get.
The Pay Department comes next in importance after the
Ministry of War.
It consists of a civilian with the title of Vazir, who is
known officially as the Vazir-i-Lashkar. He is assisted by a
numerous staff of military accountants known as Lashkar-
Navis.
The duties performed by the Pay Department are twofold,
viz., the preparation of the annual budget, and the primary
examination of the accounts as submitted by the various
disbursing officers and departments of supply.
In regard to the preparation of the budget the system
pursued is as follows:—
At Nauroz (21st March) the Pay Department prepares the
army estimate for the Avhole of the military expenditure of
the coming year. This estimate presents in detail the expendi
ture required for each province, district, or department, and is
forwarded after compilation to the Minister of Finance (the
Vazir-i-Dafter) for check and audit. After examination in this
ministry, the estimates are passed and are included in the
budgets of the provincial governors or the heads of departments
to serve as the basis for their military disbursements of the
year.
It by no means follows that the routine herein set forth is
effective or that any real control is exercised by the Minister of
Finance over the estimates of the Pay Department. It has
already been explained, in the account given of the War
Department, that the administrative functions of the army are
controlled by the Sadr Azam, and it follows that as the Pay
Department forms one branch of the army administration, this
department also comes within the circle of the Sadr Azam’s
influence. The Sadr Azam’s position, again, as Prime
Minister gives him complete authority over the Minister of
Finance, avIio rarely feels himself called upon to criticise any
military estimates bearing the impress of the Prime Minister’s
sanction. Whatever check is exercised depends therefore
finally on the Sadr Azam or his Musfcauffis. The system
adopted in theory if properly conducted would possibly be very