Sindhu-Singhe Khababs Spring Festival kicks off at Leh

Leh, June 12 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said his government has taken concerted measures to help achieve speedy development of the strife-torn state.

Speaking at the inaugural function of Sindhu-Singhe Khababs Spring Festival at Leh, Mr Azad said the state government was committed to providing sufficient budget for development of Ladakh.

He expressed satisfaction over the development scenario in the border district.

''In other parts of the state, about Rs 5-6 crore is spent on generating one MW of power, but in Ladakh the same takes Rs 36 crore,'' Mr Azad added.

Referring to the Sindhu (Indus) river, the Chief Minister said it symbolised unity amid diversity. Such festivals promote national integration and brotherhood, he added.

Mr Azad said his association with Ladakh has been since decades.

''As the Union Tourism Minister, I had initiated many tourism promotional schemes by upgrading the infrastructure at the Leh airport,'' he added.

This include heating system at the Airport terminal and also upgradation of the Kargil airport which has resulted in increased flow of tourists.

The Chief Minister said about 35,000 domestic as well as foreign tourists visited Leh last year.

He expressed satisfaction over the coming up of new improved hotels and luxury mobility vehicles which would further increase the tourist traffic in the district.

Mr Azad said out of the Prime Minister's package, Rs 20 crore has been allotted to the Leh Tourism Authority and a Chief Executive Officer would be deputed shortly.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that the authority would exploit Ladakh's tourism potentiality to its optimum and open new avenues for employment.

''Ladakh is fast moving forward on the path of development with the active support from central and state governments,'' he added.

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