Spalbar said that civil-army relationship has been exemplary in Ladakh since long time and it should be maintained at all cost by more coordination, communication and collaborative approach which are in the best interest of the nation.

He requested the Army Authorities to give more business to various cooperative societies of Leh keeping in mind that it will benefit the poor farmers of the region. He said that there should be some relaxation and flexibility in the rules of army while dealing business with local cooperatives considering the geographical and climatic conditions of Ladakh.

He further strongly urged the army to solve all the issues under their control and also requested them to recommend the interest of local farmers to Ministry of Defence which are not under their control assuring that LAHDC, Leh will also follow these issues at higher level strongly.   

The agendas discussed regarding vegetable cooperative societies in the meeting were reduction of vegetable and fruits rates in the contract for the year 2015-16 in favour of Cooperative marketing society Leh, relaxation in specifications of sizes of potatoes, onion etc., concluding of Contract at Leh HQ, renewal of negotiated contract, giving first preference in contract to Cooperative Societies instead of ROC, abolition of E-Tendering and opening up of Supply point at Siachan Belt Nubra.

 

Issues related with Transport Cooperative Societies discussed in the meeting were Point of Origin of Duty under which payment will be calculated only from the origin of duty for all types of vehicles. And Vintage of Vehicles rules under which army is calculating the vintage of vehicle at the rate of 6 years for light vehicles and 10-12 years for the Busses and Trucks, while it is longer as per the RTO norms.

 

 

Station Commander S.S Dhatwal and Officiating ASC Alok Shrivastav assured the meeting that army is committed to give all possible economic benefits to the locals and cleared almost all the confusions with cooperative societies. They also assured that the favourable recommendations in the interest of farmers will be communicated to the Ministry of Defence.

Executive Councilor Cooperative Mohd Shafi Lassu, top level army officers, DRC, Leh Sonam Norboo and presidents and secretaries of various cooperative societies attended the meeting.