Executive Councillor LAHDC, Sarpanches meet Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI: A delegation comprising of the Executive Councillor for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and Sarpanches from Leh (LAHDC) has submitted a memorandum of demands and grievances related to development of Ladakh region, which remains cut off from rest of the country during six months long winter.
The delegation, who was on a exposure tour to some states of the country, met the UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi and apprised her of a number of problems confronting to the people of Ladakh region due to tough topographic of the area.
During the tour, the delegation interacted with various agencies and shared their experiences about implementation of various centrally sponsored flagship programmes including MGNERGA and the mechanism to be adopted for extending the benefits of the scheme to poor and deserving people.
The demands and problems projected by the delegation included enhancement of wage rate from Rs.131 to Rs.3000 per day under MGNERGA, release of instalment under MGNERGA, honorarium in favour of Panchayat members and grant of special package to Leh District for restoration of infrastructure, agricultural land washed away in 2010 cloud burst.
The members also demanded representation to Badkhe Buddhist in Minority Commission, tunneling to Prangla, between Lakh and Hamachal Pradesh, tunneling to Khardongla, incorporation of Bhote language in 8th schedule of Constitution of India and upgradation of Khalsi Hospital to Sub District Hospital besides opening of Kailash Man Sarover to local people for boosting the tourism sector in the region.
The delegation also sought for implementation of 73rd amendment for streamlining Panchayat Raj system on ground level and percolates the benefits of these institutions to the common public. (KMW News)