KARGIL, JUNE 05, 2021: Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan chaired a meeting regarding drought  mitigation action plan for the financial year 2021-2022 at Conference Hall Council Secretariat Kargil here today.

Executive Councillor for Horticulture Aga Syed Hassan Armaan Mosavi, Executive Councillor for Works Aga Syed Abbas Razvi, Executive Councillor for Agriculture Mohsin Ali, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve, District Superintending Engineer, PWD Kargil Er Ved Prakash, Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Kargil, Executive Engineers of I&FC, PHE, REW Kargil, Deputy Director Command Area Development, District Soil Conservation Officer besides other concerned officers were present in the meeting.

During the course of the meeting, the CEC inquired from the concerned officers about the steps being taken by various departments as a part of drought mitigation action plan in various drought affected and drought prone areas during the current year for which adequate funds have been kept under the annual District Capex Budget, 2021-2022.

* Click to Follow Voice of Ladakh on WhatsApp *

The Executive Engineer I&FC, Kargil informed the meeting that drought prone areas have already been identified as partially affected and severely affected, and the action plan will be executed accordingly. He further apprised the CEC that a proposal for installation of 40 open solar submersible pump sets and purchase of 3 pickup vans has already been submitted to UT Administration Ladakh at a total cost of Rs 5.92 crores.

The concerned officers also informed the CEC that in case of temporary/emergency situations, PVC pipes of different sizes and polythene sheets will be distributed among the farmers at the required locations.

It was given out that necessary measures will also be taken to erect stone masonry bunds in wire-crate besides water lifting pumps will also be installed at feasible locations.

While underlining the need to put in place a tangible and workable drought mitigation plan in the district keeping in due consideration the ground realities, CEC Khan directed the concerned departments to come up with a concrete action plan within 3 days time.

As regards to the water conservation projects under SDP, the meeting was informed that 11 such projects at various locations have been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs 1600.00 lakhs.

 The CEC stressed the concerned departments to be in complete preparedness by mobilizing their men and machinery to deal with any emergency situation. He reiterated that to protect the farming community from drought situation should be the priority of the administration.

Meanwhile, CEC Feroz Khan suggested that PRI members should be involved at the village level to start an awareness campaign regarding the importance of water conservation in present times.