‘Kargil, Leh Hill councils empowered, strengthened to make them most autonomous councils in India’
Srinagar: The year 2018 turned out to be the bloodiest years in over a decade, figures released by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) as 587 incidents took place in which 238 militants were killed while as forces too sustained a major jolt as 86 forces personnel and 37 persons were killed.
“Forces launched concerted anti-militancy operations resulting in significant gains. 238 militants were killed in as many as 587 incidents while 86 security forces personnel were martyred and 37 civilians killed this year as on December 2, 2018,” the report released by the MHA stated, a copy of which is available with the KNO.
In June the Union Ministry of Home Affairs conveyed its approval for raising two women Battalions for J&K Police. The report said that Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh paid a two-day visit to J&K on June 7 where he announced sanction of grants-in-aid amounting to Rs. 14.30 crore for Block level sports in the state under the ‘Khelo India’ Scheme by the Union Sports Ministry.
“The Union Home Minister paid another two-day visit to J&K the next month, on July 4, 2018, during which he reviewed the security situation and developmental issues in the State. Most significant of these was the peaceful conduct of the historic Local Body Elections.
Ahead of the landmark local body elections in the State, the Union Home Minister again visited Srinagar on October 23 and reviewed the security situation,” the report states. “The local body elections helped re-establish the long overdue grassroots level democracy in J&K.”
The urban local body elections were held after 2005 and Panchayat elections after 2011. These elections have paved the way for making available nearly Rs. 4,335 Crores of 14th Finance Commission Central grants to the duly constituted local bodies.
Central Government provided all possible support to the State Government for smooth conduct of these elections including deployment of Central forces in sufficient numbers.
The Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils have been strengthened and empowered to become the most autonomous councils in the country to address various issues being faced by people living in the remote areas of Ladakh region.
The LAHDC & KAHDC have been given more powers to levy and collect local taxes. Control has been given over functioning of various departments as well as the Government employees working for the subjects that stand transferred to them.(KNO)