Kargil, April 16: The Kargil Hill Council today held a press conference at the Council Secretariat to protest against the reduction in the Capex budget. The press conference was chaired by Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) Dr. Jaffer Akhoon, and attended by Executive Councillor Kacho Mohammad Feroz, former CEC Feroz Ahmad Khan, Executive Councillor Zakir Hussain, Executive Councillor Punchok Tashi, Executive Councillor Aga Syed Mujtaba, and other councillors from various constituencies.

Dr. Jaffer Akhoon stated that this is the first time in Ladakh’s history that the Capex budget has been slashed instead of being increased. He accused the UT administration of incompetence, claiming that Ladakh’s budget could not be fully utilized by the end of the financial year, leading the central government to reduce the allocation in the next budget.

He informed that both Kargil and Leh Hill Councils had spent nearly 99% of the previous Capex budget, yet a total cut of Rs. 90 crore was imposed on the funds of both councils.

* Click to Follow Voice of Ladakh on WhatsApp *

Dr. Jaffer said that a resolution was passed against this unfair budget cut and sent to the UT administration, and a strong protest was also lodged during the Lieutenant Governor’s visit to Kargil. The LG had assured them that their demands would be considered.

Expressing surprise over the Leh Hill Council’s recent general council meeting on the Capex budget, he declared that the Kargil Hill Council would not hold any general council meeting until the budget is increased. He warned that if the UT administration fails to restore the funds, they would take to the streets in protest with public support.

Other executive councillors at the press conference also strongly condemned the UT administration’s decision, calling it an injustice towards Kargil.