Rupees 113.21 Lacks Spends on Agriculture

Out of total allocation of Rs. 132.27 lacs, Rs.113.21 lacs have been expended on Various Projects under agriculture Sector by ending March, 2006.

This was disclosed at a meeting of officers of Agriculture, Which was convened to review the activities of Agriculture department registered till date. The Executive Councilor for Agriculture and Horticulture of LAHDC, Kargil Kachoo Gulzar Hussain Khan chaired.

It was told in the meeting that in a bid to develop hybrid seeds and improve the production of vegetables as cash crops, the Department of Agriculture, Kargil is distributing 1500 quintals of different kind of HYV/Hybrid varieties among the farmers on subsidized rate involving subsidy amounting to Rs. 30.00 lacs. These includes 31 quintals of vegetables, 550 quintals of potato, 350 quintals of local barley, 248 quintals of fodder (oats) including 10 quintals of Alfa Alfa (Yarkindi) and 60 quintals of pulses seed of Arkle/Bone villa. Besides 8335 numbers of hybrid vegetable kits on nominal charges are being distributed among the farmers.

In order to popularize the green houses technology in a big way for boosting vegetable cultivation 35 numbers of low tunnel poly green houses for raising vegetable seedlings as well as cultivation of leafy vegetable during off season have been installed on the field of farmers free of cost in different Agriculture zone of the district. Like wise twelve numbers of prefabricated poly green houses have been installed at various block headquarters of the district for growing summer crops as well as leafy vegetables during winter months under Mini-Mission Programme.

In addition to it, 33 numbers of vegetable cellars for preservation of vegetable during winter months have been got constructed on farmers field in different villages of the district on 50 percent subsidy.

The meeting was told that as part of farm mechanization of Agriculture in Kargil, the Agriculture department has for the first time introduced power tiller on trial bases in Kargil district to bring qualitative as well as quantitative improvement in the Agriculture production in the region. Besides this 1200 numbers of different types of tools kit and 288 numbers of seed storage bens of two quintals capacity are being distributed among the farmers on subsidized cost. To combats pest diseases, sufficient quantity of pesticides and thirty numbers of foot spray pumps are also being distributed among the farmers on fifty percent subsidy.

Executive Councilor Agriculture Kachoo Gulzar Hussain Khan emphasized upon the Agriculture Officers to work with missionary zeal and impart training to the farmers about modern technology of farming, so that the farmers could improve their socio-economic condition. Others who attended the meeting included Chief Agriculture Officer.

Cooperative Societies sold essential commodities worth Rs.37.35 lacs

As much as 480 quintals of fresh vegetables and fruits was imported from outside the district and sold to the consumers during winter months by the Cooperative department, Kargil by ending March, 2006.

This was stated in a meeting held to review the performances of Cooperative societies, Kargil. The meeting was chaired by Executive Councilors LAHDC, Kargil for Agriculture and Horticulture Kachoo Gulzar Hussain Khan.

It was told in the meeting that 106 Cooperative Societies spread over in every nook and corner of the district with a membership of almost ten thousand and working capital of over Rs.l8.46 lacs. Kargil district has nine Consumer Cooperative societies, out of which seven Cooperative Societies are functioning with the entire satisfaction of district administration and the masses. To meet the demands of the people, the Consumer Cooperative Societies has purchased goods worth for Rs.46.31 lacs during the last financial year to suffice the need of the people during winter months and sold essential commodities worth Rs.37.35 lacs till date.

To ensure the needs and availability of meat during the winter months to the people, the meat dealers Cooperative Society, Kargil has sold meat amounting to Rs.65.00 lacs up to ending March, 2006.

While concluding the meeting, Executive Councilors of LAHDC, Kargil Kachoo Gulzar Hussain Khan said that every cooperative should show their transparency in bringing the cooperative Societies on profitable basis and laid stress on starting cooperative movement in each and every sector for boosting the economy and development of rural areas by way of reviving defunct societies if any besides registering the new ones.

Handicraft Department Promotes traditional crafts

As many 245 trainees were trained out of 150 trainees in various trades like carpet weaving, knitting, carpentry, painting, Felt and Gobba embroidery in 12 training centers and Rs.27.68 lacs were utilized under implementation of training and follow-up programme during the last financial year.

The Industrial Cooperative Societies of ex-trainees are formed for which the Handicrafts department, Kargil provides incentives in the shape of managerial Subsidy and share capital in favour of registered societies. So far ten such Societies have been registered during the year 2005-06 raising the total number of registered societies to 156. An amount of Rs.4.50 lacs have been provided to 85 active societies as Managerial subsidy and share capital. The Active Registered Societies have produced goods worth Rs.10.00 lacs and realized revenue of Rs.6.25 lacs out of goods sold so far.

In order to promote the local traditional crafts viz carpet weaving, Chhali an caps making etc. the Handicrafts Department, Kargil has establish two training centers at Yourbaltak and Chanigund under Border Area Development Programme for which the department have invested Rs.2.33 lacs for running the said centre during the year 2005-06. At present, 30 trainees are receiving training in Gabba Embroidery and knitting.

Under Tribal Sub Plan Rs.2.00 lacs were utilize for establishment of 40 individual unit for ex-trainees/artisans in traditional crafts like carpets Weaving, Gubba Embroidery, Carpentry and Challi making during the year 2005-06. For this purpose 40 beneficiaries were identified from 7 blocks of Kargil districts including Zanskar and Drass Sub Division.

Srinagar Kargil-Leh Road Declares as National Highway

The Chairman/Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Kargil Shri Haji Asgar Ali Karbalaie thanked the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh on behalf of LAHDC, Kargil and the people of Kargil district for declaring Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Highway to the status of National Highway. He also conveyed his gratitude and sincere thanks to Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad Chief Minister J&K, for strong recommendation to the union government for conferring the status of National Highway to Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road.

In a separate letter, Haji Karbalaie appreciated their gesture and showing keen interest in the development of J&K State in general and Ladakh region in particular and hoped that the UPA Government and present Coalition Government in the State will extend their full support to LAHDC, Kargil for speedy development of the region in future also.

It’s pertinent to mention here that Dr. Monmohan Singh while inaugurating the Chutuk Mini Hydel Project during June, 2005 has assured the people of this region that Centre Government is keen to declare Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road as National Highway for speedy development of the area. As a gesture of commitment the Centre Government declared Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road to the status of National Highway and hearing this, the people of the region felt great happiness and hoped that the developmental works in the region will receive a great momentum.

The religious and political organization who conveyed their gratitude to Dr. Monmohan Singh Prime Minister of India and Shri.Ghulam Nabi Azaad Chief Minister of J&K includes President Madarasa Isna Ashira, Kargil, Chairman IKMT, Kargil, Anjuman Ahlesunnat-Wal-Jamat, Kargil and Buddhist Association, Kargil.

Action Plan For Rs. 371.00 lakh of Kargil Drass and Shaker-Chiktan Blocks Uunder BADP

The total action plan of the current year under BADP will be the order of Rs.371.00 lacs.

These was disclose at a join meeting of LAHDC, Kargil and district officers held to review and discuss the action plan under Border Area Development Program (BADP). The meeting was chaired by Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Kargil Haji Asgar Ali Karbalaie.

The action plan for the current financial year under BADP was discuss in detail in the meeting and sorted out various measure to complete the ongoing scheme within the stipulated time.

Detailing the expenditure, Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Kachoo Isfandyar Khan apprised the meeting that against an allocation of Rs.573.00 lacs an amount of Rs.513.37 lacs was expended on various developmental schemes in Kargil, Drass and Shakar-Chiktan Border blocks of Kargil district under Border Area Development Program (BADP) during last financial year. Of which an amount of Rs.196.71 lacs was incurred under R&B Sector, while Rs.170.71 lacs under Education sector, Rs.36.72 lac under Irrigation and Flood Control, Rs.35.92 lacs Under Public Health Engineering Sector. Like wise Rs.32.11 lacs was incurred under Rural Development Sector on various rural works. The meeting was further informed that Rs.13.28 lacs and Rs.8.15 lacs were spent under Sheep and Animal Sector respectively. Under Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Sector Rs.4.58 lacs were utilize and Rs.14.59 lacs were spent under other sectors like Health, Handloom, Handicraft and Power etc.  

The Councilor put-forth their suggestion and projection for completing different ongoing development works in their respective constituencies at speedy by pouring adequate funds.

Addressing the meeting Shri. Haji Karbalaie asked the councilors and district officers to formulate plan as per the need of the people. He sought cooperation of councilor and district officers for all round development of Border Blocks of Kargil district.

Others who attended the meeting included executive councilors Shri Nassir Hussain Munshi, Shri Haji Mohd Ishaq, Shri. Sonam Namgyal, Shri Kachoo Gulzar Hussain Khan, councilors of Border Blocks and Engineers and concern officers.

Chief Engineer Himank Project BRO inspects Drass Zojila Road

Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway will reopen for trail convey by 1^st week of May, 2006 and the road will be thrown open for all vehicular traffic just after trail convey subject to favorable weather condition.

This information was given by the Chief Engineer, Himank Project Brig. N.R.K.Babu when he paid visit to take stock the pace of progress on the Zojila-Drass road today.

While interacting with the Engineers and other workers of 93 RCC at Gumri.Brig. Babu appreciated the valour and efforts of the Engineers and skilled lab-ours which they exhibited in snow clearance works on the roads.

It is pertinent to mention here that Srinagar-Leh road was reopened last year on May, 20^th, 2005 for trail convey.

Col. S.S.Khaloon, Cmndr.16BRTF and Sector Officer Lt.Col. A.K. Bhandari accompanied the Chief Engineer, Himank Project of Border Road Organization.