LAHDC turns to Guv for flood relief

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 18

A delegation of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, led by its Chief Executive Councillor Sonam Dawa Lonpo, met Governor NN Vohra at the Civil Secretariat here today.

The delegation comprised Dorjey Motup, Tsering Angdus, Mumtaz Hussain, Tsering Sandup, all executive councillors of the LAHDC.

The delegation expressed their gratitude to the Governor for his sustained support which culminated in the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh, being granted deemed university status. The Governor stressed the need for developing CIBS as a centre of excellence in the comparative studies of language, culture and philosophy.

As for their demand for introducing PG courses at Offsite Kashmir University Campus in Leh, the Governor observed that the Vice-Chancellor, Kashmir University, would shortly examine the feasibility keeping in view the number of students applying for the courses, the availability of faculties and other factors.

The delegation urged the Governor for providing adequate funds for taking up permanent restoration of the damages caused by successive flash floods from the year 2010 onwards, release of funds under TAMEIR Plan, funds for clearing pending work liabilities and completion of sports complex and Youth Hostel at Leh, regularisation of casual workers of the PDD, posting of junior engineers, sanction of projects under NABARD, construction of Pangong-Nan-Merak road under PMGSY (Tourism), release of funds under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, and filling vacancies in various government departments of Ladakh.

The delegation also requested the Governor to make available the required funds for developing infrastructure for the Kumbh Mela in the Himalayas at Hemis to be celebrated in June-July this year.

The Governor assured them of time-bound action and directed the Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development, to depute a special team for a detailed survey of all the issues relating to works for permanent restoration, consider releasing funds to the tune of Rs 15 crore for implementation of prioritised works for permanent restoration/reconstruction, release funds up to Rs 5 crore for implementation of infrastructure development works for the Kumbh Mela of Himalayas at Hemis, the funds being spent by the Tourism Department in the Ladakh region would pass through and be closely monitored under the direct supervision of LAHDC, Leh and Kargil.

The Governor also directed the Chief Secretary to expedite the handing over of land for the development of new terminal at Leh airport when he visits Kargil and Leh before March 31.