Centre launches Buddhist Development Plan
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 10: In a significant move to strengthen the minority Buddhist population in the Himalayan belt including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the Central Government today launched the Buddhist Development Plan.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Smriti Zubin Irani virtually laid the foundation stone for Rs 85 crore worth projects of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh, besides Training cum Examination Centre (200 seaters) at Polytechnic College, Kargil and Industrial Training Institute, Leh at an estimated cost of Rs 14.5 crore.
The sanctioned funds will be utilized for construction of a new Academic Building for Traditional Course at CIBS Leh (Rs 52.97 crore) and building a school with facilities like Science Lab, Computer Lab, Indoor Stadium etc for Duzing Photang Ufti in Zanskar, Kargil (a branch school of CIBS) at the cost of Rs 32 lakh.
Speaking on the occasion, Irani announced the establishment of a new Buddhist Centre at Delhi University for the promotion and preservation of Buddhist literature, language and skills to be executed at an estimated cost of Rs. 30 crore.
The virtual event was attended by Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh Tashi Gyalson, Commissioner/Secretary Social and Tribal Welfare Padma Angmo, Vice Chancellor CIBS Leh, Prof Rajesh Ranjan, Executive Councillor Minority Affairs, LAHDC Leh Ghulam Mehdi, other concerned officials, staff and students at CIBS Leh.
Ladakh Lok Sabha Member from BJP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal attended the function from New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Gyalson congratulated the people of Ladakh stating that with the launch of the Buddhist Development Plan, various aspects of the Buddhist religion, including its culture, the arts of thanka painting, sculpting will be preserved.
An official statement said the Central Government virtually laid the foundation stone of 38 projects worth Rs 225 crore for the development of the Buddhist community across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Addressing the event, Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani said, “Today we dedicated a Buddhist development plan worth Rs 225 crore for the growth and prosperity of Buddhist minorities.”
The Minister further announced the financial assistance of Rs 30 crore for strengthening the Centre for Advanced Studies in Buddhist Studies at Delhi University. This centre will focus on academic collaboration, promoting research, preservation of language and skill upgradation of the Buddhist population.
“Under the Buddhist development plan, 10 projects worth Rs 41 crore to Arunachal Pradesh and 10 projects worth Rs 43.98 lakh to Sikkim, 11 proposals worth Rs 25.45 crore to Himachal Pradesh, three proposals worth Rs 15.14 lakh to Uttarakhand and two proposals worth 14.50 crore to Ladakh have been dedicated,” Irani said.
She further expressed happiness for supporting the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies with two proposals worth Rs 85 crore.
These projects are being implemented under the aegis of Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram.
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