Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Nov 23: To discuss the CapEx (Capital Expenditure) of the Hill Councils, a delegation from LAHDC Kargil led by its CEC/Chairman, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon called on the Lieutenant Governor, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), here today.
During the meeting, CEC/Chairman requested the LG not to reduce the CapEx budget of both Hill Councils on a pro-rata basis due to the Government of India’s decision to revise the budget allocation for Ladakh for the financial year 2024-2025.
“The reduction in CapEx budget for both Hill Councils will impact the project works and the overall development of both districts,” he said.
Director, Finance, Dr Safdar Ali, gave a detailed presentation on the Status of CapEx 2024-25 and 2025-26 following which Advisor to the LG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, informed the Chairman/CEC, Executive Councillors and Councillors of LAHDC Leh about the UT Administration’s effort to increase the CapEx budget for the Hill Councils annually since 2020 despite the decrease in CapEx budget of UT Ladakh to ensure the developmental works in Leh and Kargil districts are not affected.
He also highlighted the need to sensitise people about using surface water for drinking purposes instead of digging borewells to conserve water for future generations and highlighted prioritising new projects along with conducting technical studies to assess the feasibility of new project works.
The LG asked Sanjeev Khirwar, to process transfer/ posting of teaching/ non-teaching staff of schools twice a year through a portal which should be opened for a specific period of time so that the applicants can submit their applications based on which their transfer/posting can be assessed.
He also discussed holding remedial classes for students during the winter months along with the attachment/detachment of teachers.
Executive Councillors, LAHDC Kargil- Kacho Mohd Feroz and Punchok Tashi along with Councillor, Saliskote, Mohd Sajad Khan, Councillor, Yourbaltak, Manzoor Hussain, Councillor, Bhimet, Abdul Wahid, Councillor, Taisuru, Abdul Hadi also raised their concerns regarding the reduction in CapEx budget of the Hill Councils and requested the LG to maintain the status quo and not to reduce the CapEx budget of Hill Councils.
They also raised other issues, viz. funds for skill development of youth, drought package for areas facing scarcity of water for drinking/irrigation purposes, funds for construction of protection bunds, irrigation khuls and road, filling of vacant posts of teachers, shortage of Block Development Officers (BDOs), district status for Sankoo sub-division, organising UT-level events in Kargil also and maternity leave for NHM employees in Ladakh on the lines of J&K UT.
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