JAMMU: The Centre has allocated Rs 5,958 crore for the Union Territory of Ladakh in the Union Budget 2024-25 announced on Tuesday.
While the allocation of Rs 5958 Crore is same as previous four budgets, it is technically a rise of a massive 32 per cent from last year’s allotment, which was revised to Rs 4,500 crore.
In the budget 2024-25, the Ladakh UT, which was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, has received Rs 2,035.49 crore for establishment expenditure of the Centre to meet its secretariat-related expenses and establishment of other departments and offices.
The Budget, announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has allocated to Ladakh Rs 3,922.51 crore for other Central sector expenditure, including agriculture and allied schemes, water supply and sanitation, rural development, power, forestry and wildlife, medical and public health, and education among other departments.
Ever since its reorganisation as a separate union territory in 2019, Ladakh has seen an increase of its budget to Rs 5958 Crore, a massive increase of 600%.
During the financial year of 2023-24, the Ladakh Union Territory was allocated an equal amount of Rs 5958 Crore, but there was difference in Revenue and Capital grants. While Revenue grants amounted to Rs 2808.08 crore, Capital grants were to the tune of Rs 3149.92 crore.
However, the grants of 2023-24 were revised to Rs 4500 crore including Rs 2400 crore Revenue grants and Rs 2100 crore Capital grants.
Thus, the allocation of Rs 5958 Crore in Union Budget 2024-25, is an increase of 32% over the revised estimates of Rs 4500 Crore for the year 2023-24.
Earlier in February this year, the Union Territory of Ladakh was allocated Rs 5958 crore in the Interim Union Budget for 2024-25 presented in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Of the total amount, Rs 2881. 84 crore have been allocated for revenue expenditure and Rs 3076.16 crore for capital expenditure.
