Leh 31st Oct: On the occasion of the first Foundation Day of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Lt. Governor RK Mathur greeted the people of Ladakh and launched several completed projects as well as projects which will commence implementation immediately.
Addressing the fellow Ladakhis on this occasion, LG Mathur stated that the past one year as a Union Territory witnessed development which remained amiss for the past 73 years. He expressed his gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their vision to conserve the unique and fragile identity of Ladakh and granting the long demanded Union Territory status to Ladakh.
“It gives me immense pleasure to have witnessed the kind of unity and discipline which the people of Ladakh hold, be it for preparations for the harsh winter months, facing the pandemic and the LAHDC elections, is worth appreciating,” stated LG Mathur.
Further, he said that the same attitude will play a pivotal role in taking Ladakh to newer heights as a Union Territory. LG Mathur also made a special note to appreciate the efforts put in by the student groups of Ladakh in a situation such as the COVID pandemic.
Stating that “Development is a long journey for any Union Territory,” LG Mathur expressed hope that with the existing team of dedicated officers, strong political leadership, a well educated populace and a handsome fund flow, Ladakh will be able to transform itself into a well developed state.
Speaking of Ladakh’s VISION 2050, LG Mathur stated that the document has been launched to pave the way ahead for Ladakh and requested the citizens of Ladakh and all readers to share their inputs and contribute in deciding the way ahead for Ladakh. He laid emphasis on areas which require attention to be able to yield great opportunities for the people, such as development of winter tourism, promotion of handloom and handicrafts during the winters, value addition in the Pashmina sector etc.
He also stressed on development of high potential resources in the field of agriculture, horticulture, medicinal and aromatic plants, and renewable energies such as wind, solar, hydel and geothermal and stated that exploitation of these resources will change the economy of Ladakh.
LG Mathur, speaking about the concerns of the general public of Ladakh on various issues related to job security, land, environment and culture protection of Ladakh, assured his full support with the aims and ambitions of the people of Ladakh.
He is also dedicated to the people of Ladakh, the projects which have been completed in the past one year, through an online function which was attended by over 3800 participants through an open video conference.
Significant amongst the projects that were launched are the inauguration of Girls Hostels at various locations in Leh, the launch of the first of it’s kind Career Counseling Portal for Ladakh, Model Public water and hand wash facility for use during harsh Ladakh winters, inauguration of 45 mtrs truss girder bridge over Suru, 500 mtrs truss girder bridge at Padum over river Lungnak, 51 mtr, girder bridge at Padum over river Anmo Surley, 41 mtrs, steel girder bridge over river drass, 25 mtrs steel girder bridge at Terichumik, inauguration of PWD office complex of Suru valley division Sankoo, inauguration of water supply scheme Muradbagh, lift water supply scheme Mulbekh, 27×7 water supply scheme at Gangles, the installation of 20 Kerosene storage tanks for the remote villages of Ladakh.
LG Mathur also laid the foundation of Eklavya Model Residential School at Kargil, foundation of 193 Common Facilitation Centres and 27 new Panchayat Ghars, launched the Spatial Data Geo-portal for Ladakh being developed in collaboration with IIRS (ISRO), dedicated to the people of Ladakh 143 rural roads being constructed under the Ladakh Gram Sadak Yojana, laid the foundation of 30 Block Development Councils/Block Development Offices.
In the IT and Communication Sector the LG Dedicated 35 V-SATS with Tele-connectivity which have been installed this year, providing communication facility to unconnected villages. He also inaugurated e-Office for the UT Administration which will do away with the conventional paper-file system.
An incubation centre cum co-working space was also inaugurated by LG Mathur for budding entrepreneurs of Ladakh
In the power sector, mini hydel projects were inaugurated in Drass and Nubra and transformers installed under RAPDRP-B
On the occasion, two mobile Veterinary ambulances were flagged-off and a cold storage facility of 1000 MT capacity was inaugurated by the LG.
For the Police Department, LG Mathur laid the foundation of Police Facilitation Centers cum Check Posts at various locations and also inaugurated prefabricated huts at IRP 25 Battalion. An Emergency Response Support System (Dial 112), e-Challan System and the Ladakh Police website was also launched.
On the occasion CEC LAHDC Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan and CEC LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson, Member Parliament Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, congratulated the people of Ladakh and expressed gratitude to LG Ladakh and the administrative machinery working under him for having achieved substantial developmental targets in the past one year despite, the COVID pandemic situation
