Leh:- The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), held a meeting with public representatives at the Conference Hall in Diskit, Nubra.
Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Shri Ghulam Mehdi welcomed the HLG to Nubra valley on his 3-day tour and apprised the HLG of the ongoing major development works in the sub-division.
EC Mehdi raised several issues of the Nubra valley, viz. Granting district status to Nubra valley, the early rationalisation of boundaries of the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, inclusion of Nubra in the UDAAN scheme, the early construction of bridges and transmission line of Northern Grid, construction of protection bunds for villages situated along the Siachen and Shayok rivers, reconstruction of irrigation khuls effected by the recent flash floods at various locations in the sub-division, the need to take steps for the preservation of sea buckthorn of Nubra valley, creation of Hydraulic Wing of Engineering in Nubra.
The HLG stated that rationalisation of the boundaries of the wildlife sanctuaries is essential for the region and the said exercise is being done by the Wildlife Institute of India. A presentation was also given about the exercise of rationalisation of boundaries being carried out for the Karakoram and Changthang Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The HLG assured to secure the settlement of the rights of the people living in these wildlife sanctuaries. The HLG stated that meeting of the State Board of Wildlife will be held at the end of September in which the rationalisation of the boundaries of the wildlife sanctuaries will be discussed and sent to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for approval.
The HLG assured that the Thoise Airfield will be used for commercial and civilian flights and also stated that Indian Air Force will start flights for civilians, particularly in the winter months. The HLG also stated that the work on the transmission line of the Northern Grid is underway and will be complete in the given time frame. He assured of all possible assistance to promote sea buckthorn and its product and asked the people to take necessary steps for its preservation. Commenting on the roads condition, the HLG informed that the roads damaged during the JJM works will be properly maintained and blacktopped. He further stated that funds will be sanctioned to maintain the road condition in this regard.
The HLG assured to take necessary steps for the rationalization of transfer policy of the employees in Ladakh. Sharing his vision to make Ladakh a ‘Corruption and Delay-free UT,’ the HLG sought cooperation from the people of Ladakh for the overall development of Ladakh.
Stating that natural disasters are unpredictable, the HLG informed about various steps being taken by the Administration to mitigate natural disasters and provide relief and rescue operations. He also informed about the mock drills recently organised in both districts to prepare for any cases of natural disasters. He also assured to create a separate Hydraulic Division for the region. The HLG instructed the officials to complete developmental project works within three years.
Emphasising on maintaining cleanliness, the HLG instructed the people of Ladakh to keep their areas clean. The HLG asked the people to join him in the cleanliness drive at Hunder on Monday morning. The HLG highlighted the issue of drug menace among the youth and stated that anti-drugs campaign should be introduced in the schools.
DC, Leh Sh. Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS apprised the HLG about the progress of ongoing developmental works in Nubra valley. He informed that the developmental work will be completed in the stipulated time frame. Sh. Santosh informed that district administration is committed to resolve the issues of the people of Nubra valley and informed the HLG about the meetings with the public representatives and other stake holders of the area to discuss the issues.
Brig Himanshu Rawat, 102, Infantry Brigade informed that Siachen Brigadier has been working for the welfare of the people of the sub-division. He highlighted the issue of and informed that a joint meeting with the stakeholders in this regard will be held. Brig Rawat also informed that Army personnel from the brigade were involved in relief and rescue operations during the recent flash flood and also helped to restore the damaged roads. He also informed that the Army organised medical camps for locals and tourists. He informed about the Army’s plan to construct a war memorial at Turtuk and also to organise several events in the region with the help of the local authorities.
The public representatives from different villages apprised the HLG of their issues.
Executive Councilor for Minorities, Ghulam Mehdi Ashoor; Deputy Commissioner, Leh Santosh Sukhadeve; 102 Infantry Brigade, Brig Himanshu Rawat, Councilors, BDC Chairpersons, district officers, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) members, nambardars, representatives of religious and social organizations besides other concerned officers and officials were present in the meeting.
En route Nubra, the HLG inspected the road affected due to the recent flash flood at Khardong village.
Earlier, the HLG was given the Guard of Honour at 102, Infantry Brigade at Partapur in Nubra.