Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan chaired the General Council Meeting of LAHDC, Kargil for the finalization of the Annual Capex Budget (District Plan) for the year 2023-2024 at Conference Hall, Baroo on April 3.

He approved ₹300 crore under Capex besides ₹25 cr approximately under Subsidy Component for Annual District Plan for Kargil District for the current fiscal. The approved budget during the annual meeting includes ₹149 cr approximately for the engineering sector and ₹150.83 cr for the non-engineering sector

While briefing about the physical and financial achievements during the last financial year, DC Santosh said out of ₹245 cr allotted, an amount of ₹ 235 cr was spent on the implementation of various developmental schemes and welfare programs in the district which represents 96 percent of the released allocation, which is a record achievement preceding the last years’ 94 percent achievement.

The Deputy Commissioner congratulated the concerned officers for achieving maximum expenditure and hoped for more such achievements in the future as well.

He said most of the civil works stand tendered and allotted while work will be kick-started soon as the budget is released and 100 percent progress will be targeted to be achieved.

The CEC on behalf of LAHDC Kargil strongly condemned the alleged rape incident of a minor girl in the Leh district and demanded strong punishment for the culprit and also applauded Ladakh Police for putting the culprit behind the bars at the earliest.

At the annual meeting, CEC Khan said that five-year tenure was a challenging task for the present council. He said amid challenges of working in a new UT, pandemic, and other major issues, Khan said a record 96 percent achievement under the allotted budget was recorded in the current financial year and 94 percent in the previous one.

LAHDC Kargil felicitated DC Santosh, Sectorial Heads, and District Officers for their remarkable achievement in the previous financial year.

The CEC said due to maximum expenditure in the previous financial year, ₹50 cr has been enhanced by the UT Administration under Capex this year. He directed all Sectorial Officers to start developmental works besides pace up progress given the short working season.

Khan expressed happiness over the 100 percent expenditure under the subsidy component and congratulated the house for the enhancement of CCDA from ₹cr to ₹1.5 cr.

He urged the concerned Councilors to submit the work under CCDA and Subsidy Component at the earliest considering the upcoming code of conduct within a few months before elections so that the works can be registered in the current year fiscal plan.

Threadbare discussions and deliberations were held on the draft annual plan budget wherein members put forth their suggestions and several important decisions were also taken up regarding the implementation of schemes on the ground.

Other resolutions passed include making LRC mandatory for the academic positions in the University of Ladakh on the recommendation of Councilor Choskore, Nasir Munshi.

Further, regarding the clearance of debris accumulated on agriculture fields, the house decided that the budgetary head will be opened under the soil conservation department for the task. Moreover, regarding the flood restoration works in various parts of the district, the house was informed that DPR has been submitted to the UT Administration.

The CEC asked the Councilors and Officers to work with zeal for the benefit of the people and impressed upon them to adopt a participatory model of development and make sure that all sections of society receive their due share in developmental works.

Khan urged officers to effectively implement development schemes on the ground for better outcomes. The CEC said the role of implementing agencies is of prime importance to ensure public welfare schemes are completed in a time-bound manner and set targets are achieved.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders Stanzin Lakpa and Naseer Munshi on the behalf of their parties congratulated the CEC for completing the 4th period of LAHDC Kargil.

They also thanked Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil for extending all support in the smooth functioning of LAHDC Kargil in the best possible way for the general public in all developmental works.