Will raise issues of Ladakh: MP Haneefa Jan

Kargil, Nov 26: The Member of Parliament (MP) from Ladakh Mohammed Haneefa Jan has said that he will raise the issues of Ladakh in the ongoing winter session of the Parliament and make government aware of the issues faced by the people of the Union Territory.

Speaking to the Greater Kashmir, the lone MP from Ladakh region said that since the winter session of the Parliament has begun and whenever he gets an opportunity to speak he will raise the issues of the people of Ladakh. “ There are so many issues the people of Ladakh are facing particularly the unemployment, as no recruitment has taken place for now over five years. The educated youth are frustrated. Recently the government has announced five new districts for Ladakh UT including two for Kargil and three for Leh district which also needs to be reviewed and equal share should be given to both districts,” he said.

The MP added that the Public Service Commission ceased to exist in Ladakh after the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. “Due to this, no recruitment has taken place. Graduates, postgraduates are frustrated. The candidates should be given a relaxation in age criteria when recruitments take place, “ he said.  Mohammad Haneefa Jan also expressed concern on cutting by Rs 976 crores Ladakh’s revised budget allocation for the capital component for the current financial year 2024-2025 that might slow down the region’s progress. “ I will raise this issue and urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Finance Minister for a strategic reassessment of the reduced allocations so as to sustain and accelerate the developmental goals in Ladakh.

It is imperative to enhance capital grants, reversing the declining trend witnessed over recent years and to keep the commitment of Rs .5958 crore budget allocation made to UT of Ladakh, ” the Ladakh MP said.

He said Ladakh has witnessed a significant transformation since becoming a Union Territory (UT) in 2019, with the Central government consistently prioritising its development. “Over the last five years, critical attention has been given to overcoming infrastructural challenges in all fields. However, the Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the Administration of the UT of Ladakh dated November 13, raises grave concerns with stagnation and reductions in the state sector. Based on the said OM of the UT Administration, the revised budget allocation for the capital component of Ladakh in 2024-25 is significantly reduced compared to the original budget estimate, from Rs 3076.16 crore to Rs 2100 crore. This represents a reduction of 976.16 crore, which affects multiple sectors, including the State Sector, SDP (Special Development Package), and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) of Leh and Kargil,” he said.