Rs 81.99 spent on development of Ladakh this year

Srinagar, Oct 1 (UNI) About Rs 81.99 crore were spent on the execution of various development works in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir during the current year.

Out of this, about Rs 64.99 crore were in state sector, Rs 10 crore as NABARD loan, and Rs seven crore as central fund, granted for development of infrastructure in the region.

This was stated in the general council meeting of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) at Leh last evening chaired by Chairman and Chief executive Councilor Tsering Dorje.

Mr Dorje said the LAHDC was committed to ensure speedy and balanced development of the entire district. The pace of development would be expedited to achieve the target for 2006-2007, he added.

He said about Rs nine crore was surrendered last year due to financial crunch in the treasury. The sanctions for granting administrative approval for executing development works have been issued, Mr Dorje added.

He said the targeted expenditure as well as execution of works would be achieved during the current year.

The meeting decided to give a boost to the agriculture produce of Leh as vegetables and fruits of the area have good market by constructing a cold storage and temperature-management mechanism so that these remain fresh for a longer period.

The meeting also reviewed the steps taken for controlling locust in Changthang area. It was informed that more than 38,000 tourists, including 25,000 foreigners, visited Ladakh this year. The meeting called for giving advance publicity of festivals of Ladakh.

UNI AG ASM VD RK1610