Sitharaman on 3-day visit to Ladakh
*Will meet Army Comdrs; visit Pangong, Hanle
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 14: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today assured representatives of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh that increase in budget, timely finalization of Revised Estimates (REs) in view of limited working seasons in the Union Territory of Ladakh and promotion of tourism will be looked into and a decision taken on them shortly.
This assurance was given by Sitharaman to the Council representatives when they met her soon after her arrival in Leh on a three-day visit of the UT during which she will meet more stakeholders and will have detailed interaction with top Army Commanders. She will also visit Pangong lake and Hanle Observatory.
LAHDC Leh Chairman Tashi Gyalson, Deputy Chairman and Executive Councilors met the Finance Minister and projected their demands including restoration of budgetary cut, timely fixation of Budgetary Estimates and Revised Estimates as working season is very limited in Ladakh, promotion and package for tourism which is in stress, setting up of Ladakh Financial Development Corporation and Grameen Bank among others.
Sitharaman is reported to have assured the delegation that demands of the Council pertaining to budgetary grants, timely fixation of estimates and tourism will be looked into on her return to New Delhi.
On her arrival to Leh on a three-day visit, the Finance Minister was received by top officers of UT’s police and civil administration, representatives of the Council and senior BJP leaders.
She also met Ladakh MP Haneefa Jan, senior BJP leaders of the UT and a joint delegation of tourism stakeholders including hoteliers, travel agents, merchants, transporters, bikers etc. The Tourism Associations sought package for the tourism sector besides its promotion at the national level.
Sitharaman will inspect ongoing developmental works and will have a meeting with top Army Commanders in Leh tomorrow.
On Monday, she will visit Nyoma, Rezang-La and Pangong lake besides Hanle Observatory.
Known for its clear skies and minimal light pollution, Hanle offers an ideal location for astronomical observations. Hanle is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, one of the highest observatories in the world.
Rezang-La is known for major battle of the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict. The “C” Company of India’s 13 Kumaon battalion fought to the last man in an effort to block the Chinese PLA troops from crossing the ridge into the Chushul Valley. Nearly 120 Indian troopers killed over 1500 PLA soldiers out of 3000.
Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs), Leh and Kargil faced around Rs 72 crore each cut in annual budget for current financial year of 2025-26 due to reduction in overall Central grants to the Union Territory by Rs 1266 crore.
Budget of Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils, which was Rs 344 crore each for last financial year of 2024-25, was reduced to Rs 272 crore each, a cut of Rs 72 crore each to both Leh and Kargil Hill Development Councils.
The Chairpersons had earlier also taken up the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Finance Minister.
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