No complacency in Ladakh
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By K.N. Pandita
Effusive concern expressed by the national and state leadership on unpredicted natural calamity in Ladakh in which enormous landslide washed away rare agricultural land last year has, at the end of the day, turned into damp squib. The Prime Minister visited the site and assured the victims of the calamity that his government would do more than what was needed to mitigate the suffering of the people. He wanted it to be done before the harsh winter of the Himalayan range set in. His visit was followed by that of the Home Minster, who was equally effusive about what his ministry intended to do to reclaim the agricultural land since it was the only substantive means of livelihood for the people of this mountainous region that remains landlocked for at least half of the year owing to the closure of link roads under heavy snow. Of the promised over 16 crores of rupees to be provided for reclamation of the agricultural land, only a peanut of 1.5 crores have been released by the state government so far. The Ladakh Development Hill Council took the initiative and began the work on reclamation in the hope that funds promised would come at proper time and the task would be finished as early as possible. Continue Reading…