United Nations reduces budget of military group manning India-Pakistan ceasefire

The UN has reduced by 1139 per cent the budget of its military observer group tasked with monitoring the ceasefire line between India and Pakistan for the year 20182019 The General Assembly on Sunday allocated USD 19754400 for its UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan UNMOGIP for the next two years a cut of USD 2539200 from its previous allocation of USD 22293600 for the year 20162017Representational ImageOverall the UN biennium budget has been reduced by five per cent or around USD 286 million in actual terms This is mainly because of the pressure from its largest donor the US which is seeking a reduction in its aid to theworld body The UNMOGIP which is financed by the United Nations UN regular budget is currently headed by Major General Per Gustaf Lodin of Sweden Informed UN sources familiar with the budgetary process told PTI that the reduction in the UNMOGIP was in the area of travel The groups field trips have been reduced by 500 to 4500 while its allocation for contractual services and general operating budget has also been cut they saidThe UNMOGIP conducted 4864 field trips in 20122013 against the target of 5000 In the 20142015 period it carried out 4468 field trips against the target of 5000 Figures for actual field trips for the period of 20162017 were not available The target was 5000 The current mission of the UNMOGIP as directed by the Security Council observes developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire of December 17 1971 and report thereon to the UN Secretary General The UNMOGIP is headquartered in Islamabad from November 1 to April 30 and a rear headquarters in Srinagar from May 1 to October 31Its mission is carried out by military observers deployed in field stations and mobile observation teams A liaison office is located in New Delhi Its field stations in India are in Jammu Baramulla Poonch and Rajouri districts while on the Pakistani side the field stations are in Domel Kotli Bhimber Rawalakot Sialkot Skardu and GilgitAccording to the information available on its website the group has 114 personnel which includes 70 civilians and 44 experts The first group of the UNMOGIP arrived in the region on January 24 1949 to supervise the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir between India and PakistanThese observers under the command of the Military Adviser appointed by the UN SecretaryGeneral formed the nucleus of the UNMOGIP In February this year a General Assembly report pertaining to budget said that the mission will continue to maintain military observers at all its operational field stations on both sides of the line of control The report said the mission will continue to conduct efficient patrols and effective inspections and investigations of the alleged violations of the ceasefire and perform field tasks in the vicinity of the Line of Control from the field stations to the extent permitted by the host countries Till May 2014 the UNMOGIP liaison office in New Delhi used to receive free rental accommodation from the Indian ArmyIn May 2014 the Indian Army asked UNMOGIP to vacate its premises Since then the liaison office relocated to leased premises in September 2014 and also pays for the cost of the facilities provided by the Indian Army In 20162017 the UN General Assembly had allocated USD 28 million towards refurbishment of the new premises and reimbursement for the monetised value of the facilities provided by the Indian Army and the rent of the premises of the liaison office in New Delhi According to the Security Council mandate given in resolution 307 of 1971 UNMOGIP observes and reports on ceasefire violations along and across the Line of Control and the working boundary between the nucleararmed South Asian neighbours in Jammu and Kashmir as well as reports developments that could lead to ceasefire violationsIndia has maintained that the UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Simla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control LoCCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news current affairs from Mumbai local news crime news and breaking headlines hereDownload the new midday Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go