(a) The present status of construction of cultural centre at Leh and Bathing Ghat at Sindhu River;
(b) The funds allocated for these projects;
(c) Whether the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council have requested the Union Government to release adequate funds for the completion of these project;
(d) If so, the details thereof; and
(e) The action taken by the Government in this regard ?
MINISTER FOR TOURISM & CULTURE (SMT. AMBIKA SONI)
(a) to (e) : As a part of the commemoration of 50th Anniversary of Indian Republic
Rs.300.00 lakhs was sanctioned during 2000-2001 and released to the Ladakh
Autonomous Hill Development Council for a Multi Purpose Cultural Complex
(Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra) at Leh. Subsequently, the scope of the work was
expanded by the Council and the project could not be completed. The Ladakh
Autonomous Hill Development Council has intimated a revised project cost of
Rs.544.80 lakhs for completing the project. Since the Commemoration of 50th
Anniversary of Indian Republic is already over, no funds are available for the
commemorative events under which the project was sanctioned initially.
Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned and released Rs.98 lakhs for Construction
of Sindhu Ghat at Shey, Leh (Phase-I) during 2000-01 and the project has been
completed by the State Government of J&K.