KARGIL, OCTOBER 21, 2021: Only 2078.32 lakh has been made expenditure against the total released budget of 7614.41 at the end of September 2021, revealed a press release issued by the DIPR Kargil. The low spending of the Capex Budget reflects a grim picture of developmental activities in district Kargil.

Pertinent to mention that out of the total approved outlay of Rs 20743 lakhs for the year 2021-2022, Rs 7614.41 lakhs have already been released to the departments and the total expenditure upto the end of September, 2021 stands at Rs 2078.32 lakhs which is 27.29% of the released budget. 

The press release further informed that Rs 5750.04 lakhs is the anticipated expenditure till ending October, 2021 while the anticipated expenditure till the end of March 2021 will be Rs 20581.89 lakhs. 

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Responding to Voice of Ladakh correspondent in this regard, Deputy Commissioner and CEO Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve said that the total Capex Budget for the year 2021-22 is 207 crores while the expenditure at the end of September 2021 stands 20 crores. However, it is expected that the expenditure will reach to 50 crores by end of October 2021.

DC Santosh further said that there is a trend in Kargil and whole Ladakh that the contractors “execute the work in first six months which is the key working season and submits the bill in winters only. But now as per new norms we are expected to do the quarterly expenditure and I have already directed all the sectoral heads to book their claim for work done soon. According the expenditure would rise by November”.

The DC further assured that this is not a matter of concern because most of our works are tendered and allotted. And most of the projects are under ongoing schemes. Physical work is already being executed while the expenditure will be recovered and improved. “We are hopeful that no much funds will be surrendered at the end of this financial year”, the DC added.

Pertinent to mention that unlike the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir, the budget in the UT Ladakh is lapsable and a considerable amount had lapsed last year. The District Administration and LAHDC both have strictly directed the district officers to ensure full utilisation of the budget and avoid to surrender.