Ladakh seeks special budgetary support for development needs

Local delegations led by Jora meets FM

JAMMU, JANUARY 22:Minister for Urban Development and Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora along with the representatives of LADHC s Leh and Kargil Monday called on the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs A R Rather and discussed with him status of various ongoing major development works in the desert region.  The delegation sought special allocations in the Budget for meeting the development needs of the geographically disadvantageous region, which remains land locked during about 6 months of a year. Jora asked the Finance Minister to use his good offices in the Union finance Ministry to push forward execution of Zojilla tunnel, which has already been approved by the Union Government, adding that the proposed tunnel is an urgent necessity to ensure round the year road connectivity of the Ladakh region with rest of the State.

The Minister assured the delegation that as in charge Minister of the Ladakh Affairs, it was his endeavour to ensure development of the entire Ladakh region and to provide equal and uniform opportunities of progress and justice to the people. He said it was the agenda of coalition government led by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah to ensure balanced de elopement of hilly, backward and bad pockets of the State including twin districts of Leh and Kargil adding that it was in that context, that special grants have been earmarked in the State’s annual Budget. Assuring that the process of special budgetary support for development of backward pockets of the State will continue in future also. Mr Rather said special grants shall be over and above the normal budgetary allocations.

Source: http://www.risingkashmir.in/news/ladakh-seeks-special-budgetary-support-for-development-needs-40420.aspx