JAMMU: The Seventh Central Pay Commission is on a four-day visit to Ladakh region, particularly world’s highest battlefield at Siachen Glacier to meet soldiers performing their duties in challenging operational conditions. The Commission headed by Justice A.K Mathur and comprising former IAS officer Vivek Rae, full-time member Meena Agarwal, Secretary and 14 other members are vising Ladakh from 12th to 15th October, PRO Defence, Northern Command, Col S.D Goswami said.
On arrival at Leh, the delegation visited the Headquarters of the Army Fire and Fury Corps, where they were welcomed by General Officer Commanding (GOC) 14 Corps Lt Gen B.S Negi.
Negi briefed them on the peculiarities of difficult terrain, inclement weather and challenging operational conditions under which our soldiers are performing duties in various parts of Ladakh, including Siachen Glacier, he said.
The delegation members were also briefed at the Air Force Station in Leh, Col Goswami said. The delegation interacted with the soldiers at the base camp of Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world to get a first hand feel of the hardships faced by them, he added.
They witnessed ice craft and mountaineering training being carried out at the Siachen Battle School. They also overflew the entire Siachen Glacier and landed at a forward post to familiarise themselves with the difficult conditions under which the soldiers are performing their duty, the PRO said.
The Pay Commission members also visited remote posts in Eastern Ladakh and Kargil. They also landed at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), the highest Landing Ground in the world. They interacted with soldiers from the Air Force, ITBP, BRO, and representatives of the DRDO, he added. During their visits to the forward areas, the delegation laid floral wreaths at the Siachen War Memorial, Kargil War Memorial and the Rezangla War Memorial while paying tributes to our martyrs, PRO said. The concern displayed by the members of the Seventh CPC during the interactions has indeed boosted the morale of our soldiers, Col Goswami said.
Lt Gen B.S Negi thanked the delegation for taking out their valuable time for the visit. (PTI)