Chairman of the 5th Finance Commission (FC) for Union Territories, Anil Kumar Jha, IAS (Retd.) along with its members, convened a meeting in Drass on August 6 to evaluate the role of local governance institutions such as Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and assessed the functioning of PRIs.

The Commission’s Member Amey Sapre and Secretary Binay Bhushan, IAS were also present on the occasion. The meeting, among others, was attended by Director, Urban Local Bodies, UT Ladakh, Tahir Hussain Zubdavi; Director, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department, Ladakh, Syed Sajjad Qadri; Administrator, Municipal Committee, Kargil/Joint Director, Information, Ladakh, Imteeaz Kacho; Project Officer (Wages),Kargil, Padma Angmo; District Panchayat Officer, Kargil, Rehmatullah Bhat; Block Development Officer, Drass; Block Development Officer,Kargil; former BDC Chairman, Upper Drass; Ex BDC Chairman Lower Drass and other PRI members.

The key areas discussed during the meeting included the allocation of funds for pending projects.

Syed Sajjad Qadri gave an in-depth briefing to the Commission regarding the functioning of PRIs. He informed the Commission that a mechanism of elected members of PRIs and professionals/Government functionaries has been put in place to manage natural resources, Self-Help Groups, finance and planning works and for infrastructure development.

The Director also highlighted the challenges faced in Ladakh under tough conditions. He called for special concessions for areas with limited working seasons and challenging topographies.

Earlier, the Commission visited the Skill Development Centres of Government Degree College, Drass along with senior officers and officials.

Chairman, Member and Secretary of the Commission also planted tree saplings in the College Campus. They also visited and inspected the Pickle Making Skill Centre where they surveyed the tools and machinery used for preparing pickles while also interacting with the instructor and trainees. Mir Ishfaq Ahmed, Instructor of the Pickle Making Skill Centre, gave a detailed demonstration on the hygienic preparation of pickles and the objectives of facilitating students to establish avenues in business and entrepreneurship.

The Chairman, Anil Kumar Jha advised that the pickles manufactured by the students should get Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registrations and GI Tag for marketing purposes. The team also visited the High Altitude Trekking Guide Skill Centre of the College where the Instructor Divya Thakur displayed the equipment used for hiking and in adventure sports. The Instructor also demonstrated various techniques and basic skills for outdoor adventures that have potential to boost tourism in places like Drass.

The Commission also visited Kargil War Viewpoint at Manman Top in Drass to inspect the infrastructure constructed by the RD&PRD. The Commission also visited the Sub District Hospital of Drass and enquired about the facilities available for patients. It also visited the segregation shed at Drass constructed and being operated by RD&PRD.

Later, the Commission convened a meeting with ex PRI members of Kargil in Minji Village to evaluate the role of local governance institutions like PRIs and ULBs in the District. The ex PRI members also gave their inputs and suggestions. During the meeting, the PRI members presented various recommendations, primarily emphasizing the need for funds to be readily available to handle situations promptly in the event of natural calamities.