Leh, July 28: Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Tuesday directed all departments to speed up budget utilisation and ensure timely execution of development projects during a comprehensive review of the Union Territory’s financial performance for FY 2026–27.
Chairing a high-level meeting, Kundra stressed that optimal utilisation of public funds is critical for achieving Ladakh’s development goals. He instructed departments with poor expenditure performance to explain delays and submit concrete action plans to improve both financial and physical progress.
Secretary, Finance, Tsewang Tharchin, IA&AS, presented a detailed overview of the budget, covering departmental allocations, capital expenditure, monthly expenditure plans, utilisation rankings, and sector-wise spending across infrastructure, education, urban and rural development, municipal services, and other key sectors.
Expressing concern over low fund utilisation in some departments, the Chief Secretary directed the Finance and Planning Departments to closely monitor spending and identify unutilised funds for timely reallocation to projects capable of using them effectively within the current financial year.
Kundra also reviewed expenditure on procurement of vehicles, ambulances, machinery, ICT equipment, buildings, furniture, and other infrastructure assets, directing departments to ensure transparent and timely procurement in line with approved plans.
Emphasising uninterrupted development works, he instructed the Planning Department to ensure contractors continue work during the permissible construction season so that projects are completed within stipulated timelines. He also asked departments to include essential components such as furniture and allied infrastructure in future project proposals to avoid delays in operationalising completed assets.
The meeting also reviewed issues related to land compensation, municipal infrastructure, solid waste management, and ongoing capital projects. Kundra called for stronger inter-departmental coordination and periodic sector-wise expenditure analyses to enable better monitoring and informed decision-making.
Senior officials from the Finance and Planning Departments, along with other departmental officers, attended the review meeting.
