Leh, June 8: Lt. Governor RK Mathur today reviewed the progress made by the Departments of Information & Technology, Industries & Commerce and the Wildlife Department of the Union Territory.
Secretary Information Technology, Saugat Biswas gave a detailed presentation on the work done in making available internet and telecom services across Ladakh.
Installation and commissioning of new towers in uncovered areas,Wi-Fi networks, connectivity solutions via Optical Fiber Cables (OFC), progress in services and infrastructure of the Ladakh State Data Centre, Spectrum up gradation of the existing telecom service providers, commissioning of VSATs and replacement of non-functioning DSPTs with VSATs were deliberated upon during the meeting. The Lt. Governor also instructed the Secretary IT for creation of a redundancy for OFC networks available in Ladakh aiming at achieving an uninterrupted internet.
Discussing the functioning of Common Service Centers (CSCs) at Gram Panchayat level and increasing their numbers, LG Mathur suggested exploring the prospect of making more CSCs enabled with facilities related to Aadhar to increase the Aadhar enrollment amongst 0-5 and 5-18 years age groups across Ladakh, which according to the statistics presented by the IT department was the lowest.
LG Mathur was apprised of the future projects to be carried out by the department viz. State data Centre, LG Dashboard, Human Resource Management Software, Community Radio Network in Ladakh, PMU for smart city mission under Urban Development Department Ladakh etc.
LG Mathur stressed on the need for each department to set a target for annual job creation and stated that the IT department may involve local computer proficient youths for operating call centers and CSCs across Ladakh.
The progress made in implementing e-stamp and e-gazzette was commended by the LG. He directed that e-office be made functional in all offices of the administration in a fixed timeframe.
Reviewing the developments made in the Pashmina sector in Ladakh, LG Mathur asserted that the primary objective of the Ladakh Administration should be the improvement in the economy of the Changthang.
LG Mathur urged the department of Industries and Commerce to procure state-of-the-art technologies for dehairing, spinning and weaving. He also suggested training the local youth/entrepreuners in designing the finished pashmina products.
Later, the department of Forest, Wildlife & Environment was reviewed. Principal Secretary, Wildlife Dept. Dr. Pawan Kotwal and Chief Conservator of Forest, Preet Pal Singh apprised LG Mathur of the various developmental projects being undertaken by the department viz up gradation of nurseries, project Juniper, completion of biodiversity conservatory cum field Research Station at Diskit, Nubra, eco-friendly public conveniences at forest park, Sankoo, development of eco-tourism facilities etc.
Discussing progress regarding rationalization of boundaries of Changthang Wild Life Sanctuary, Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary and Hemis National Park. LG Mathur instructed the department to expedite a final decision on the matter on priority basis. Further, he instructed the department for expediting the payment of ex-gratia compensation for loss of life and livestock caused by wildlife attacks.
The meeting also deliberated upon development of Wildlife Safari, enumeration and restoration of water bodies, carbon neutral initiatives, wildlife wireless network etc.
