| News Details |
| Chief Secretary reviews Planning Department, Directs Time-Bound Framework for Resource Allocation | | 
Leh, October 28 (Scoop News)-Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, today chaired a departmental review meeting of the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department to assess budget utilisation, resource allocation and progress on key development initiatives. He directed the department to prepare a comprehensive framework for equitable allocation of resources among the Hill Development Councils and local bodies in coordination with the Finance Department within ten days.
At the outset, Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, Himanshu Gupta, presented an overview of budgetary expenditure, including allocations relating to tourism, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) and the newly constituted councils. The meeting deliberated on the allocation of funds, administrative requirements and the need for a transparent mechanism to address the financial and infrastructural needs of the councils.
The Chief Secretary emphasised that resource allocation should be guided by objective criteria, reliable data and the developmental requirements of each council. He directed the Planning Department to work closely with the Finance Department and financial experts to formulate an appropriate allocation mechanism, including the apportionment of funds under Revised Estimates and Budget Estimates. The meeting also discussed the financial requirements for establishing offices and providing essential infrastructure, equipment and other administrative facilities for the newly constituted councils.
The Chief Secretary further stressed the need to assess grant requirements for Panchayats, municipalities and the Hill Development Councils in advance to ensure timely and balanced distribution of resources. He called for a clearly defined framework that would facilitate effective financial planning and improve the utilisation of available funds.
Reviewing the status of the departmental dashboard and data integration, the meeting discussed issues relating to Aadhaar-based data access and consent requirements. The Secretary, Planning, informed the meeting that the matter was being pursued with the concerned authorities. The Chief Secretary stressed the need to expedite the process to strengthen data-based monitoring, improve coordination and enable timely assessment of development initiatives.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme. The Secretary, Planning, informed the meeting that responses to earlier queries had been submitted and the concerned agency had been onboarded. The Chief Secretary called for a more focused assessment of ground-level requirements and directed the Deputy Commissioners to undertake field visits to evaluate the status of identified villages and ensure that future proposals address actual infrastructure and service-delivery gaps.
Emphasising the importance of evidence-based planning, the Chief Secretary directed the engagement of college students in a structured survey of 43 identified villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme. The survey will assess access to roads, telecommunications, primary healthcare, school education, basic infrastructure and employment opportunities. He stressed that the exercise should follow a standardised and systematic methodology to identify gaps and support targeted interventions. The Planning Department was directed to coordinate with the concerned district administrations and educational institutions to complete the exercise within one month.
The meeting also discussed the Labour Force Survey and the preparation of a comprehensive development vision document for Ladakh. The Chief Secretary called for sector-wise assessments of healthcare, education, roads, electricity and other critical infrastructure, incorporating investment details, the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and UT initiatives, and development outcomes since 2019. The discussions also covered the potential for promoting green technologies and identifying priority areas for future investment.
Issues relating to pending subsidies and the implementation of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy were also discussed. The meeting explored measures to promote cleaner transport, including the possibility of replacing conventional diesel vehicles with electric vehicles in suitable areas. The status of EV-related projects and the information submitted through the relevant portal were also examined.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, Shri Himanshu Gupta; Chief Planning Officer, Leh, Shri Konchok Gyalson; Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Secretary for Special Projects, Shri Moses Kunzang; Joint Director, Finance; and other senior officers and officials concerned.
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