Leh: The Centre on June 1 announced a Rs 20 crore financial grant for the high altitude Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, including much-awaited Rs 15 crore for providing basic infrastructure to the para-military forces fighting insurgency in Ladakh.

The additional grant came within days of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee announcing a Rs 6,165 crore economic package to the terrorism-ridden Jammu and Kashmir.

Announcing the grant, Union Urban Development Minister Ananth Kumar said the rest of the Rs 5 crore would be spent on the infrastructure facilities such as construction of drainage and sewage in the Leh district.

The decision was taken in a bid to promote Leh as a tourist spot, he said.

Kumar, who was attending Sindhu Darshan festival in Leh, said the decision to establish Sindu Adventure Sports Academy has also been taken to promote tourism in areas in and around the great trans-Himalayan river.

"Jammu and Kashmir government will provide 100 acres of land free for the academy, whereas all the financial aspects will be taken care by the Centre," Kumar said.

PTI