ملف ١٩١٦/١٣٢٣ الجزء ١ "بلوشستان: الأوضاع المضطربة على الحدود الأنجلو فارسية. الإدارة المستقبلية لولايات مكران وسرهد وقلات" [و‎‎٤‎١‎٧] (٨٩٦/٨٣١)

3
duty, a war concession of 3 annas daily with. 1 anna extra per horse for mounted
men, it being understood that the concession will cease if the Corps is called upon
to co-operate with a military force, in which event the Militia would receive the
concessions granted in such circumstances to regular troops. I estimate that the
cost of the concession would be Rs. 8,962-8-0 per mensem, but I am submitting
the usual proposition statement through the Comptroller, India Treasuries. In
view of the heavy calls made on the Zhob Militia by the condition of the Waziristan
border I trust that my proposal will be accorded favourable consideration and I
shall be grateful if the sanction of the Government of India can be conveyed to me
by telegram.
No. 6314-21-G.S., dated Quetta, the 29th May 1917.
From—The General Officer Commanding, 4th (Quetta) Division,
To—The Hon’ble the Agent to the Governor-General and Chief Commissioner in
Baluchistan, Quetta.
I have the honour to report that during my recent visit to Fort Sandeman I
saw the Zhob Militia on the 25th April at their ordinary work. I did not make a
regular inspection of this Unit, as I had deputed Brigadier-General T. H. Hardy
to do this, it being uncertain when I should be able to visit Fort Sandeman. I was
very pleased with what I saw and considered the class of men in the Corps quite
satisfactory.
With Major Lucas’s permission, the senior Indian Officer laid before me the
difficulties under which the men of the Zhob Militia were serving. He stated that
the Zhob Militia were serving under inferior conditions as to pay, etc., to the Wazir
istan Militia ; that the price of all commodities had gone up, and that a good deal of
discontent prevailed. He also stated that owing to the low rates of pay it was a
matter of the greatest difficulty to get recruits, and that were it not for the pressure
brought to bear by Sirdars, practically no recruits would be forthcoming. Major
Lucas was present and confirmed what the Indian Officer stated.
I consider it is essential that something should be done to improve the condi
tions of service in the Zhob Militia to ensure a supply of men from whom wastage
in the Unit can be made good ; also it must be borne in mind that though the Militia
, man may be serving near his own home,*
locaUmen 6 compames and one s 9 uadron aie not which is not the case with men of the re-
J. Ramsay. gular Army, still he is practically on conti
nuous active service, which is not always
the case with the sepoy.
The Zhob Militia are brought into close and constant contact with the regular
soldier, and he cannot but help comparing his lot with theirs. He is constantly
employed on outpost and patrol work, and the hard life he leads entitles him in my
opinion to a closer approximation of the benefits enjoyed by the regular soldier.
I therefore recommend that the men be given free rations as is now being
given to their brothers in the Indian Army.
(4)
No. T.B.-237, dated Calcutta, the 28th June 1917.
Fiom— M. Ghatak, Esq., Officiating Comptroller, India Treasuries,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
At the instance of the Hon’ble the Agent to the Governor-General in Baluchistan,
I have the honour to forward herewith a Proposition Statement in duplicate of
the Zhob Militia establishment and to state that the present scale of the statement
has been verified and found to agree with the books of this office. The average
cost under “ Office ” should, however, be Rs. 597-13-4 instead of Rs. 587-13-4 as
actually shewn.