Leh, Nov 24:- The Member Parliament Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC, Leh Advocate Tashi Gyalson yesterday met with Lt Gen PGK Menon GoC 14 Corps and discussed important issues and demands including border issues in Ladakh.
MP and CEC highlighted the examplenary cordial relationship between the India Armed Forces and the civil population since independence and the support of Ladakhi people to the Armed Forces in situations of wars and peace. Briefing about the transaction phase of UT Ladakh, they said that the role of Army in progress of Ladakh has always remained crucial and will remain vital.
MP and CEC stressed for further strengthening and consolidating the existing cordial relation and cooperation between civil and army in Ladakh.
Important demands and issues concerned with national security and welfare of Ladakhi people were discussed and deliberated at length in the meeting which includes establishment of a separate Command in Ladakh, extension of Battalion in Ladakh Scout Regiment and opening of Women Battalion in Ladakh Scout, opening of Sainik/Airforce/Military School in Leh Ladakh, functional of Advance Landing Ground of Chushul, Mudh and Fukchey, construction of alternative Military Airport in Padum Zanskar and Wakha Thang,
MP and CEC stressed on early completion of Nimoo-Padum-Darcha Road keeping in mind the strategic importance of this road for Ladakh and its people throughout the year. They also raised the issues of cooperative societies and transporters of Ladakh including supply of local produce to the army, relaxation and increase in Vintage value of Truck, Buses and Taxis from current vintage restriction so that livelihood of people involved in this trade are taken care of.
Issues of local labourers engaged with army in Ladakh including local labours at Siachen Glacier including better facilities like health, clothing, ration and handsome wages, preference to local while hiring manpower by army keeping in mind the endurance of local people at high altitude and sanctioning of USOF tower for Border villages and other villages which are yet to be covered under mobile network were discussed during the meeting.
MP and CEC also stressed on early constriction of Chushul-Dungti-Demjok-Fukchey Road, construction of Multipurpose Tunnels at Khardongla, Changla, Namkila, Zingral-Tharuk and Photola in Ladakh, deployment of Soldiers of the Ladakh Scout Regiment on Indo China Border in view of the Jawans of Ladakh Scouts being son of soils and familiar with the terrain, construction of Bunkar for Civilian living along border to protect their Lives in an emergency, permission/NOC from MoD for Installation/operationalisation of Mobile Tower already sanctioned in Border areas of Ladakh, formal permission/order for tourists visiting Siachen base, use of Mobile (BSNL) towers under army authority by civilian living along border without any restriction/interruption.
CEC and MP also demanded for release of land under Army occupation in Leh town and its periphery, especially village pasture land and State land meant for public purpose and assured the Defense Minister that LAHDC, Leh will provide alternative land at Suitable location for Army. Civilian land under the Army’s occupation at border villages need to either vacate or pay compensation/rent as resentment is brewing among the public due to loss of their source of livelihood.
Release of three acres of Land from Air Force control at Thoise Nubra to make the UDAN scheme implementable. Operationalisation of Thoise airport under UDAN which will make Nubra valley one of the most preferred tourist destination, easing out of restriction along border for native locals to take their livestock for grazing on traditional pasture land along border, increase in the tonnage volume on army aircraft during winter month to provide vegetables and other essential items in order to provide better and nutritious food to people especially during the COVID pandemic, relaxation in guidelines for procurement of Milk, Vegetable and Hay from local vendors of Ladakh to encourage Vocal for Local slogan with Mission Atma-nirbar Bharat, Operation Sadbhavna needs to be scaled up in Ladakh for further strengthening the civil-military liaison, extension of Northern Grid to Changthang region (and approval of the Rs.135 Cr worth DPR submitted by ITBP to MHA get access of Northern Grid to Changthang region were also raised strongly during the meeting.
Lt Gen PGK Menon GoC 14 Corps assured MP and CEC that army will extend all possible steps in further strengthening the existing cordial relation and cooperation between civil and army in Ladakh and assured that army will exercise on all the issues and demands and come up with a report at the earliest.
