The first UT Level District Development and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting was chaired by L-G R K Mathur on February 23 at Raj Niwas. The Committee has been set up to review 41 central schemes being implemented in rural areas.

Speaking to the members of the DISHA Committee members, LG Mathur emphasised on planning to avoid duplication of work under different schemes, early issuance of utilisation certificate, the convergence of various schemes and the need for documentation and publicity of various centrally sponsored schemes.

He stressed on the need for connectivity of all feasible households through the national grid and coverage of all inhabited areas in Ladakh through telecommunication.

LG Mathur pointed out three areas that need special focus and attention, viz. Jal Jeevan Mission, cleanliness and livelihood schemes. He reiterated that all the rural households should be connected with functional household tap connections (FHTCs) by 15th August this year. He also stated that a comprehensive approach is needed for keeping Ladakh clean. LG Mathur also stressed the need to focus on livelihood and self-employment generations schemes with more focus on women, minorities and handicapped persons. He also asked both the DCs to include self-generation schemes while preparing the annual plan and electrifying all possible educational and health institutions by June 2022.

LG Mathur requested both the CECs of Hill Councils and MP Ladakh to consider developing schemes that would deliver livelihood, particularly to the young people women, minorities and handicapped persons.

Earlier, CECs of both Hill Councils, Adv Tashi Gyalson and Feroz Ahmad Khan, respectively, spoke about various challenges and issues related to centrally-sponsored schemes, especially Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Samagra Shiksha Scheme, MNREGA and Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).

Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, also apprised LG Mathur of a large number of issues that he had come across while holding regular DISHA meetings in Leh and Kargil. He highlighted the need to implement some centrally-sponsored schemes that are yet to be introduced in Ladakh.

Advisor Umang Narula, Principal Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal; Commissioner Secretary, Ajeet Kumar Sahu and Commissioner Secretary, Saugat Biswas also spoke during the meeting.

Earlier, DC Leh Shrikant Suse and DC Kargil Santosh Sukhdeve gave detailed presentations on the achievements and issues faced by them while implementing centrally-sponsored schemes.