UT admin begins detailed Budget Exercise for 2027-28, reviews spending and new development priorities

Finance Department sets out week-long schedule to scrutinise expenditure, ongoing works, liabilities and fresh project requirements across departments

LEH: The Union Territory of Ladakh has begun preparations for its Budget Estimates (B.E.) for 2027-28 and Revised Estimates (R.E.) for 2026-27, with the Finance Department scheduling a comprehensive series of departmental meetings from August 31 to September 7 to assess spending, implementation of schemes and future financial requirements.

The exercise, ordered through a Finance Department circular issued under the approval of the competent authority, is aimed at ensuring that the next budget is based on realistic expenditure projections, actual implementation progress and clearly justified financial requirements.

The meetings will be chaired by Tsewang Tharchin, Commissioner/Secretary, Finance Department, UT of Ladakh, and will bring together Heads of Departments, nodal officers, drawing and disbursing officers and dealing assistants for detailed scrutiny of departmental proposals.

The Finance Department has directed all departments to submit their B.E. 2027-28 and R.E. 2026-27 proposals to the Directorate of Accounts & Treasuries by August 28, ahead of the scheduled discussions.

The budget exercise goes beyond simply projecting allocations for the coming financial year. Departments have been specifically asked to review their actual expenditure against budgetary provisions, likely savings and surrender of funds, progress of ongoing works and schemes, committed liabilities and requirements for new projects and schemes.

They have also been instructed to separately examine recurring and non-recurring expenditure and identify any additional financial requirements requiring consideration by the Finance Department.

The proposals are to be furnished Major Head-wise, Sub-Head-wise and Object Head-wise, with proper justification for significant variations between the Budget Estimates for 2026-27, Revised Estimates for 2026-27 and proposed Budget Estimates for 2027-28.

The Finance Department has emphasised that projections must be as realistic as possible. Any request for increased allocation will have to be backed by proper justification and supporting documents, while proposals involving pending liabilities will require relevant sanctions, bills and other documentation.

The scheduled meetings cover virtually the entire administrative and developmental spectrum of Ladakh.

The first day, August 31, will focus on police, prisons, forensic science, UTDRF, fire and emergency services and the Rajya Sainik Board. Separate sessions will also examine the requirements of the Deputy Commissioners of Leh, Nubra, Changthang, Sham, Kargil, Drass and Zanskar, besides LAHDC Leh and Kargil. The Health Department, including subordinate offices, Drug Control and Food Safety organisations and Deputy Chief Medical Officers of Leh and Kargil, will also undergo financial review.

On September 1, the exercise will cover forests, wildlife, pollution control and soil conservation, followed by Labour and Employment, the LG’s Secretariat, UT Secretariat, Divisional Commissioner’s office, Hospitality and Protocol and the Resident Commissioner, New Delhi.

The following day will bring the Economics and Statistics, Civil Aviation, Accounts and Treasuries, State Taxes, Excise and Taxation, Urban Local Bodies, Housing and Estates, Tourism and the Food Craft Institute into the budget scrutiny process.

The schedule also places considerable emphasis on sectors directly linked to Ladakh’s rural economy and human development. On September 4, the Finance Department will review the requirements of Horticulture, Agriculture and Cooperatives, followed by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, wages, district panchayats and Command Area Development.

The Social Welfare Department will also be examined, while the School Education Department, University of Ladakh and Higher Education Department will have their budget proposals discussed in a separate session.

The review will subsequently cover technical education, ITIs, youth services and sports, NCC, Roads and Buildings, Mechanical Engineering, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Sheep Husbandry, Industries and Commerce, and Power Development and Generation.

The Finance Department has asked departments to ensure that all figures and proposals placed before the meetings are duly verified and reconciled with available records. The objective is to prevent unrealistic projections and enable the estimates to be finalised within the prescribed timeline.

The exercise is significant for Ladakh as the UT continues to balance expenditure on essential public services with the need for infrastructure expansion, economic development and implementation of new schemes across its geographically dispersed and difficult terrain.

The detailed departmental scrutiny also provides an opportunity to identify under-utilisation of funds, accelerate delayed works, account for committed liabilities and prioritise new projects based on actual requirements.

With the Finance Department bringing 25 major departmental groupings into a structured review spread over eight days, the exercise effectively sets the financial groundwork for Ladakh’s 2027-28 development priorities, while simultaneously recalibrating the current year’s Revised Estimates.

The Finance Department has directed all departments to adhere strictly to the schedule and ensure timely submission of the required information, underscoring the UT administration’s emphasis on financial discipline, realistic budgeting and expenditure linked to measurable implementation.