*Farmers worried as vast agri land still filled with mud
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 16: Substantiating the stance of the Ladakhis that they are being treated ‘shabbily’, the bureaucrats have not taken seriously the directives of the Governor regarding immediate release of financial assistance to Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh for restoration of priority sector infrastructure damaged during three devastating floods. Even special team has not been deputed till date for detailed survey of all the issues relating to the works for permanent restoration.
In the flash floods of August 2010, September 2014 and August 2015 respectively, major public infrastructure suffered extensive damage in Leh and due to non-availability of sufficient funds, permanent restoration of the damaged public infrastructure could not be carried out during the past five years.
Following all these devastating flash floods, only meager financial assistance was kept at the disposal of Hill Council for temporary restoration works that too after repeated requests from the elected representatives of the people from the district.
In the absence of adequate financial help from Union as well as State Governments and due to limited Annual District Plan, even the public infrastructure which suffered damages during the flash floods of August 2010 could not be permanently restored till date despite lapse of five years.
The major area of concern for the Hill Council is vast agriculture land, which got filled with mud during these three ravaging floods and damages to the irrigation canals.
Enraged over delay in release of funds for permanent restoration works and keeping in view the miseries of the people, a deputation of Hill Council headed by Chief Executive Councilor, Dr Sonam Dawa Lonpo and comprising of several Executive Councilors on March 18 called on Governor N N Vohra and highlighted the problems being faced on account of restoration works in the absence of adequate financial assistance from the Government.
Keeping in view the concern expressed by the Hill Council, the Governor directed the Planning and Development Department to immediately release funds to the tune of Rs 15 crore for restoration of prioritized works particularly with regard to agriculture land and irrigation facilities. He also directed for release of Rs 5 crore for implementation of projectised infrastructure development works for the Kumbh Mela of Himalayas at Hemis to be held in the month of June-July this year.
Moreover, the Governor issued directions for deputing a special team for a detailed survey of all the issues relating to the works for permanent restoration.
“Neither immediate financial assistance to the tune of Rs 20 crore has been given to the Hill Council till date despite lapse of almost one month nor any team has been deputed for detailed survey”, official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding “it seems that directives of the Governor issued during the Governor’s Rule carry no importance after installation of popular Government”.
They further said, “the non-adherence to the directives of the Governor has substantiated the stance of the Ladakhis that they are always treated shabbily”, adding “in the absence of financial assistance, the Hill Council has decided not to go ahead with restoration work in majority of the sectors as this step will lead to huge liabilities”.
Disclosing that agriculture sector is the main area of concern for the Hill Council, sources said, “as the sowing season is all set to begin after 20 days, the people are themselves carrying out mud removal work so that they would be able to sow the seeds even if only small patches are restored”, adding “as vast agriculture land would not be used for the sowing, there would be lesser yield this year”.
When contacted, a senior officer of the district administration confirmed that funds as directed by the Governor have yet not been received. “We are anxiously waiting for the same”, he added.
According to the sources, Hill Development Council is planning to meet the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti so that funds committed by the Governor besides other financial assistance are provided to the district for permanent restoration works.
It is pertinent to mention here that Hill Council has prepared an Action Plan of Rs 161165.78 lakh for effecting permanent restoration of damaged public infrastructure.
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