Lok Sabha Question No. 414 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Operation Sadbhavana in Ladakh
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 414

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 rd  February, 2023

## OPERATION SADBHAVANA IN LADAKH

## 414. SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

(a)  the details of the assistance provided and programes conducted in the Schools in Ladakh under the vision of Operation Sadbhavana;

(b)  the details of assistance provided to the villages of Ladakh in the sectors of Health and sanitation,  Community  Development  Project,  and  Infrastructure  Development  alongwith other  assistance  provided  in  Ladakh  including  envision  to  be  assisted  under  the  said operation;

- (c)    the  detail  of  assistance  provided  for  women  empowerment including tour programmes organised in Ladakh;

(d)  whether the Operation Sadbhavana is fulfilling its objectives, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

- (e)    whether  the  Member  of  Parliament  from  Ladakh  is  included  as  a  participative  role  in goodwill project; and

(f)  if so, the details thereof during the last fiveyears and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STATE

## IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(a):    As  part  of  'Operation  SADBHAVANA',Indian Army  is undertaking multiple welfare activities  such  as  running  of  Army  Goodwill  Schools,  Infrastructure  Development  Projects and Education Tours etc. for the children living in remote areas of Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh.

To  improve  the  standard  of  education  and  to  provide  them  with  quality  education, Indian  Army  is  presently  running  seven  (07)  Army  Goodwill  Schools  (AGS)  under 'Operation  SADBHAVANA'  in  Ladakh  Region.  More  than  2,200  Students  are  currently studying in these schools.

In addition, a total of ₹ 8.82 Crores of 'Operation SADBHAVANA' funds have been allotted for Union Territory of Ladakh during the current financial year 2022-23. The funds are

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

being  utilised  for  various  activities  like  Human  Resource  /  Skill  Development,  Sports, Healthcare,  National  Integration,  Infrastructure  Development,  Ecology,  Environment  and Education.

(b):    Following  assistance  has  been  provided  in  the  field  of  Health  and  Sanitation, Community Development and Infrastructure development: -

- (i) As a step towards Healthy Nation for prosperous Ladakh, medical camps, veterinary camps,  provision  of  medical  equipment,  upgradation  of  medical  infrastructure  and staffing  of  Medical  Aid  Centres  have  been  provided  at  various  remote  locations  in Ladakh. A total number of 23 Projects have been allotted in financial year 2022-23 for health and sanitation out of the 'Operation SADBHAVANA' funds in the Ladakh Region.
- (ii)  The  assistance  provided  in  terms  of  community  development  projects  include construction, upgradation and provisioning of equipment for community halls, water supply  schemes,  provision of generators,  solar  lighting,  arboriculture, establishment of  bore  wells,  constructions  /  repairs  to  village  roads  /  tracks  and  construction  of toilets. Sports is also being provided impetus by providing equipment, sports kits and organising  various  sports  events.  Total  of  74  Projects  have  been  allotted  towards community development in remote areas in the current financial year.
- (iii) 17  Infrastructure  projects  have  been  allotted  and  planned  in  all  districts  of  UT  of Ladakh  in  financial  year  2022-23,  which  include  establishment  of  computer  lab; construction  of  Captain  Manoj  Pandey,  Param  Veer  Chakra  (PVC)  (Posthumous) Stadium/Sports  Complex;  construction  of  community  halls;  renovation  of  Rinchen Auditorium and creation of Youth Empowerment Node etc.

(c):    Women  in  remote  areas  of  Ladakh  are  being  empowered  through  various  training programmes  organised  and  funded  through  'Operation  SADBHAVANA'  in  Vocational Training Centres, Women Empowerment Centres and Computer Centres at various locations in  Ladakh.  In  addition,  training  classes  for  women  are  also  being  organised  for  various activities  i.e.  Pashmina  Shawl  Weaving,  Wool  Knitting,  Extraction  of  Apricot  Oil,  Yak Cheese Making, Yak Cheese Baking. Girl students have a fair representation in the education fund  outlay  of  'Operation  SADBHAVANA'.  Further,  'Kargil  Ignited  Minds'  an  initiative exclusively  for  girl  students  of  Kargil  is  launched  for  preparation  for  various  competitive examinations for admissions into various professional colleges and institutions in India.

Due to COVID restrictions, Capacity Building Tours were not organised in last two years, however, this year five tours have been conducted with three specifically for women and two for students including girl students wherein they got an opportunity to call on and interact with President of India at Delhi. A total of 13 such tours have been planned for next year.  Total  outlay  for  last  three  years  for  the  women  empowerment  and  tours,  including projects envisioned for next year is approximately Rs. 2.4 Crores.

(d):    Yes,  'Operation  SADBHAVANA'  is  fulfilling  its  objectives.  Some  of  the  objectives achieved  through  'Operation  SADBHAVANA'  are  national  integration  tours,  women empowerment, employment generation, education and development activities towards nation building.

(e)  &  (f):    'Operation  SADBHAVANA' projects are selected after taking local aspirations into consideration, in conjunction with local civil administration and it is ensured that there is no duplicacy with projects of civil administration.

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