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Leh, October 28, 2026: Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, chaired a review meeting of the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department to assess budget utilisation and development initiatives. He directed the department to prepare a framework for equitable resource allocation among Hill Development Councils and local bodies, in coordination with the Finance Department, within ten days.
Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, Himanshu Gupta, presented an overview of budget expenditure, including allocations for tourism, LAHDCs and newly constituted councils. The meeting discussed fund allocation, administrative requirements and the need for a transparent mechanism to address the councils’ financial and infrastructural needs.
The Chief Secretary directed the Planning Department to develop a data-driven and transparent resource allocation mechanism in coordination with the Finance Department and financial experts, covering Revised and Budget Estimates. The meeting also discussed funding for offices, infrastructure, equipment and essential administrative facilities for the newly constituted councils.
The Chief Secretary stressed the need to assess grant requirements for Panchayats, municipalities and Hill Development Councils in advance to ensure equitable resource distribution, effective financial planning and optimal utilisation of funds.
The meeting reviewed the departmental dashboard and data integration issues, including Aadhaar-based data access and consent requirements. The Chief Secretary directed officials to expedite the process to strengthen data-driven monitoring, coordination and timely assessment of development initiatives.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme. The Secretary, Planning, informed the meeting that responses to earlier queries had been submitted and the concerned agency had been onboarded. The Chief Secretary called for a more focused assessment of ground-level requirements and directed the Deputy Commissioners to undertake field visits to evaluate the status of identified villages and ensure that future proposals address actual infrastructure and service-delivery gaps.
The Chief Secretary directed the engagement of college students to survey 43 villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme, assessing roads, telecommunications, healthcare, education, infrastructure and employment opportunities. The Planning Department was instructed to coordinate with district administrations and educational institutions to complete the survey systematically within one month.
The meeting discussed the Labour Force Survey and preparation of a comprehensive development vision document for Ladakh, covering key sectors, infrastructure, investments, government schemes and development progress since 2019. It also explored green technologies and priority areas for future investment.
Issues relating to pending subsidies and the implementation of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy were also discussed. The meeting explored measures to promote cleaner transport, including the possibility of replacing conventional diesel vehicles with electric vehicles in suitable areas. The status of EV-related projects and the information submitted through the relevant portal were also examined.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, Shri Himanshu Gupta; Chief Planning Officer, Leh, Shri Konchok Gyalson; Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Secretary for Special Projects, Shri Moses Kunzang; Joint Director, Finance; and other senior officers and officials concerned.
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