Leh, January 23(Scoop News) – In a joint representation to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh CEC Leh Rigzin Spalbar and CEC Kargil Kacho Ahmad Khan invited PM’s urgent attention to the severe resource constraints confronting the twin LAHDCs of Leh and Kargil with the result these democratic institutions are reduced to mere show pieces without being able to generate any tangible outputs. Besides, they greatly seeks the PM’s personal intervention in release of a fair amount of one time grant by the Central Govt. to strengthen the LAHDCs and a substantial increase in the annual allocations as per budgetary requirement of the twin LAHDCs.
This urgent call is made considering the callous attitude of the Central and State governments in institutionalization of the LAHDCs according to a consistent logic and sensing an urgent need to revise the criteria of allocation of resources by the Planning Commission by earmarking separate grants in plan assistance to the LAHDCs in view of the distinct socio economic development parameters and geographical disadvantages peculiar to the region.
Reiterating the purpose of granting Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council status to Leh and Kargil, the CECs expressed a need to bring more fundamental changes in the allocation of resources by the Central and State governments to enable the institutions to play more meaning role in the inclusive and sustainable growth of the hitherto neglected and marginalized region through the process of empowerment.
Emphasizing the need for financial empowerment of the LAHDCs in the real sense stating that ever since the creation LAHDCs, are being provided state funds as per normal budgeting procedures and there is no process of devolution of funds nor does any system exist for fixing a reasonable amount of grant-in-aid at the central and state governments levels to the twin LAHDCs with the result both the LAHDCs are starved for funding and dependent only on the normal budgetary grants. To aggravate the matter
Still further the state government even stopped the customary step up on the annual allocations for the last several years despite steep cost escalation all through and thus further impending the developmental prospects.
Keeping in view the needs and aspirations of the people, CEC LAHDC, Leh Rigzin Spalbar informed that the LAHDC, Leh has embarked on formulation of prospective plan for 12th five year plan with objective of realization of the goals of “ Ladakh Vision 2025” of which copies have already been submitted to all concern at the Centre and State. Both the CECs mentioned that they are already in the process of deliberations with the state government with regard to the provision of the LAHDCs Act and its implementation for empowerment of the LAHDCs .
With great anticipation the LAHDCs request for considerable guidance and unstinted support from the highest level in the central and state governments to empower them through sustain source of funds to make them fully empower and to help them to lend speed to developmental programs. They expressed high hopes that with the personal intervention of Dr. Manmohan Singh, in the coming months the central and state governments demonstrate a clear intend to move beyond the hype and outline clear strategies for financial empowerment of the LAHDCs in true terms.