The annual general council meeting was continued on 10th July. In the session, the Executive Councilors posed questions to major departments like Power, Education, Transport and Communication, CA&PD, Soil Conservation and other departments like Command Area, Forest and Multi-Sectoral Developmental Programme.

CEC, Rigzin Spalbar said that the fund flow from state to Power Development Department has never been satisfactory.  He stated, “Though PDD does not come under the jurisdiction of Hill Council but LAHDC has always supported the department with financial assistance with a head open in district plan which has kept ₹ 25 lakh for the current financial year, besides the councilors also have been spending from their CCDF account to ensure electricity to the people.” 

CEC seeking support and coordination of the entire house decided on putting a strong recommendation to the state government on increasing the fund allocation to PDD, Leh and to consider their demand of regularizing the contractual staffs.

 He said, “In case the PDD staff strike, then the ministry of Power will be responsible for it.” The house appreciated the power services provided by the department under the local head of Ex-en, Tsewang Paljor despite the crunch of manpower and money.

Councilor Upper Leh, Gen, Nyantak requested Tsewang Paljor to timely collect the electricity bills, consider providing important facilities like, gloves, torch, ladder to the linemen and to fix the electricity lines that run through trees posing high risk during rain and snowfall.

 

Tsewang Paljor informed that from July onwards billing will be done monthly and they will stress the consumers to use meters that give low running cost which will help the department in voltage control. In response to demands and issues raised by the councilors, he said that the 2nd phase of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) has been replaced by Din Dayal Upadya Jyoti Yojna (DDUJY) and the villages in Changthang and Nubra regions will be electrified under this scheme.

Keeping in view the improved results of 10th and 12th board exams of government schools, CEC asserted that the standard and condition of government schools have improved tremendously over the past few years. He added that however if parents don’t admit their children in these schools then neither council nor administration is responsible for it. He appreciated the collective effort put in by teaching fraternity, education department and the councilors.

CEC also informed that the budget allocation in the education sector has increased from ₹250 lakh to ₹279.79 lakh this year. On the issue raised over up gradation of middle schools breaking the system of residential schools in Changthang. CEC made it clear that any rule or order contradicting the policy decisions made by LAHDC will have to be applied by any department or administration in the district only after bringing it into the consideration of the council. 

He also said, “Policy decision is the mandate of the council and no centre or state policies will be followed here blindly.” He also directed Chief Education Officer to ensure the proper conduction of board exams in November this year. He maintained that winter coaching is a temporary system initiated to provide full education facility to students but at the same time he made it clear that winter coaching will be continued only in places where there is no subject teacher available.

  

Regarding issues on CA&PD ration stores and supply of ration on schedule date, CEC directed EC, Shafi Lassu to convene an immediate meeting with the councilors to resolve the issues and streamline the system. 

On MSDP, CEC instructed to Chief Planning Officer- Dorjey Motup to make a booklet on centre sponsored schemes for public information and to avoid duplicity. 

CEC also requested DC, Swagat Biswas to look into the cases of Command Area and land distribution at Chuchot Yokma, Spituk and Phyang villages. Swagat Biswas said that he has already taken up the case of making newly formed administrative blocks functional with the Revenue Minister at the state level. CEC instructed EC Agriculture to follow up the matter of data survey of marshy land with SKUAST.