Leh: While the Ladakh people keep on discussing their political and cultural aspirations, as a matter of genuine right, the grassroots stakeholders confirm that post Union Territory, the region is seeing unprecedented developments mopping up public facilities and making lives better.
Here is the stakeholders’ perspective:
In the past three years after Ladakh was reorganised as a Union Territory, the primary focus of the Central government has remained its long-neglected basic infrastructure, says Tashi Gyalson, chairman of the all-powerful, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh.
“The Centre has facilitated water and electricity to the remotest of the areas, while road connectivity has improved by a great measure. We have more doctors working in Ladakh than ever, even as the government has pushed for more sustainable tourism,” says Tashi.
Member of Parliament from Ladakh and BJP leader Jamyang Tsering Namgyal believes that the formation of union territory was the end of step-motherly treatment for Ladakh.
“In 70 years, we (Ladakh) suffered and were discriminated against. Development had taken a backseat when the region was a part of Jammu and Kashmir. In the past three years, the Centre has facilitated development in Ladakh,” Namgyal says.
Namgyal names Ladakh university, medical college, and hotel management institute; the multi-fold increase in the budget for the UT, the LAHDCs, ongoing 4G infrastructure building in 224 villages of Ladakh at the average cost of Rs 1 Crore in each village, besides the greater powers and fund allocation to three-tiers of the Panchayati Raj Institutions as major achievements of Ladakh’s 3 years as an UT.
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Saira Bano, Chairperson, Block Development Council, Chuchot says that there has been a massive improvement in the developmental scenario of Ladakh, after the formation of UT.
“The connection between people, and administration has been enhanced due to the powers devolved to the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj Institutions. Funds, of course, have increased. A BDC chief is now given Rs 1 Crore annually while Rs 23 Lakhs is given to a Panchayat Halqa, every year, for development. But what is more significant is the enhanced connection. People, Panchayats and departments are on the same page. Gram Sabhas are being held regularly. Monthly review meetings are held with all 29 line departments, with increased public participation. Whenever any issue is faced, we have access to the higher authorities and the departments, who would listen to us,” Bano tells the Indus Dispatch.
Stanzin, Sarpanch Stakna village, believes that UT formation has opened new doors of development, especially in rural Ladakh, with Panchayats being empowered and sufficient funds flowing in for the development.
“The new grants, especially, the Special Development Package (SDP) have opened new avenues for Panchayats across the UT. The government departments are cooperative, the funds are there, and with people’s support, we are carrying out a number of developmental works in our village,” he tells The Dispatch.
Stanzin recently completed a shopping complex in Stakna, a guest house, besides a multi-purpose hall, which he claims to be the biggest in Chuchot block.
“Before 2019, people of Ladakh had to suffer on many counts. After the UT formation, it is us, the Sarpanches, who suffer, as a number of projects with adequate fundings have arrived,” laughs Stanzin.
Tsewang Nurboo, Sarpanch, Chuchot Shamma-I says that while funds have increased multi-fold after the formation of UT, there are still some problems such as delay in their release, and tendering and allotment of works.
Phuntsog Angchuk, Sarpanch, Chuchot Shamma-II, however, disagrees.
“After formation of UT, a lot of money has come to Ladakh. Every young Ladakhi, now wants to be a contractor and that is one of the reasons there is delay in tendering. There is no delay in release of funds, but sometimes, tendering and allotment of works take time,” Phuntsog Angchuk says, adding that the government and the line departments have been very supportive of the Panchayats.
“We built a Panchayat Ghar, the work on which was pending since 1980. We constructed footpaths, tiled pathways, even as works on internal roads and Jal Jeevan Mission is also going on in full flow in our Panchayat,” tells Angchuk.
Ali Akbar, Sarpanch, Chuchot Yukma-I seconds Angchuk.
“After the UT formation, a lot of powers have been devolved to Panchayats. In the past (before 2019), the funds were limited and we would be granted 1-2 lakhs for developmental works. However, now, the funds are aplenty, and released directly. Formalities do take some time in completion, but it is much better than under J&K,” he says.
Akbar informs that his panchayat has undertaken works worth Rs 5-6 Crore including the repair of internal roads, an ice-hockey rink, a sports ground, the CHC building, Panchayat Ghar and a library.
“Earlier, villagers had to take a long road to reach the other side of the river. We have now built 4 bridges. The work on a government school and reservoirs, worth Rs 15 Crore, is also going on. The people are very happy with the pace of development after the formation of UT,” says Tashi Norboo Jayo, Sarpanch, Stok village.
Chhotak Gyatso, Sarpanch, Mangyu is of the opinion that the developmental scenario has increased greatly after the formation of UT.
“There are special grants like the Special Development Package, State Sector fund, the fund for Development of Panchayat. The inflow is great and we have been able to construct an irrigation canal at the cost of Rs 50 lakh, 3 reservoirs, internal roads, among other things,” he says.
Skalazang Dorjey, Chairman, Block Development Council, Leh says that after it became an UT, Ladakh is taking a giant stride in infrastructural development.
“Before 2019, Ladakh’s total budget was Rs 57 crore, which was inadequate to meet the developmental activities. After Ladakh became a UT, the budget has been increased to Rs 6000 crores which includes special developmental packages, paving way for mega projects in Ladakh,” he says.
