Jammu: Indian member of parliament from Ladakh, Haji Hanifa Jan, has expressed concerns over a significant reduction in the region’s budget allocation, claiming a Rs 976 crore cut in the revised budget for 2024-25 compared to the original estimate.
According to Kashmir Media Service, which cited an Office Memorandum issued by the Ladakh administration, Jan pointed out that the allocation for the capital component has been reduced from Rs 3,076.16 crore to Rs 2,100 crore. He noted that this reduction affects key sectors, including State Sector projects, Special Development Packages (SDPs), and funding for Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) in Leh and Kargil.
Jan stated that the reduction poses a concern as Ladakh has consistently utilized its allocated budget efficiently across various sectors, especially under District CAPEX plans. He warned that the cut jeopardizes infrastructure development in critical areas such as roads, drinking water, renewable energy, health, education, and telecommunications, risking a slowdown in the region’s progress.