Leh, July 10: A number of delegations including those from NITI Aayog and IIT Madras called on Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra, at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat on Tuesday.
A team from NITI Aayog led by Programme Director, Security, Maj Gen (Retd) K Narayanan met Mishra in the presence of Advisor to the LG, Dr Pawan Kotwal; Commissioner Secretary to the LG, L Franklin and Director, School Education Department, Tsering Paldan.
Maj Gen Narayanan informed the LG that he looks after security and the Vibrant Villages Programme. He also informed that he is the nodal officer for the states/UTs of Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal and Lakshadweep. He apprised the LG of the launch of the Sampoornata Abhiyan in Leh and Kargil districts under the aegis of NITI Aayog. Maj Gen Narayanan informed that Sampoornata Abhiyan aims to improve health, nutrition, education, and agriculture sectors, etc.
Maj Gen Narayanan informed the LG that they are partners in the development of UT Ladakh and stated they would provide expertise in different fields in which UT Ladakh need handholding.
Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, Dr Chintan Vaishnav informed the LG about the establishment of two Atal Tinkering Labs in Leh and Kargil districts. He also apprised the LG of Ladakh’s capability to establish 60 Tinkering Labs along with Incubation Centres.
Dr Darpajit Sengupta informed the LG about the Aspirational Districts and Blocks and their focus on five themes, viz. health & nutrition, education, agriculture and allied services, basic infrastructure and social development.
The LG commended NITI Aayog led by Maj Gen Narayanan for extending assistance in the development of Ladakh. He asked Director School Education to hold a meeting of Head of Departments with NITI Aayog officials and sign an MoU with them for handholding in different sectors, particularly in the primary sector. He asked the Advisor to prepare the action plan and prioritise schools for the establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs along with establishing Incubation Centres in Ladakh.
A delegation from IIT Madras led by Professor Sachin S Gunthe called on the LG AND informed the LG that he is the Faculty Coordinator for Sindhu Central University while IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur are the mentor institutes.
He also informed the LG that the delegation is in Ladakh to take stock of the situation of the Sindhu Central University. He further informed that the work on the Sindhu Central University is progressing well and the transit camp of the Central University should be complete by August-end.
Prof Sachin informed the LG that the target date for the completion of the Sindhu Central University is within four years. He also informed about the three courses started by them at IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur. He further informed that seven students, including three from Ladakh, have enrolled for the courses at Sindhu Central University. Prof Sachin also informed about the plan to conduct a joint venture with University of Ladakh.
The LG stated that the placement of local students of Sindhu Central University who are currently studying at IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur should be held along with other students of the campus.
Other issues such as utilising wind energy at University of Ladakh campus for research purposes; preference for Ladakhi students and faculty members in Sindhu Central University; reservation for local students at University of Ladakh, etc were also discussed in the meeting.
A delegation comprising PhD scholars from SKUAST led by Dr Thinley called on the Lieutenant Governor. Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education, Padma Angmo, IIS; Commissioner Secretary to LG, L Franklin, IAS; Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof SK Mehta and In-charge Registrar, University of Ladakh, Nawang Tundup were present in the meeting.
Dr Thinley apprised the LG about the delay in the transfer of 6 units of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to the University of Ladakh. He informed the LG that the Recruitment Rules has not been framed due to the delay in transfer process and requested the LG’s intervention to expedite the transfer process.
Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof SK Mehta informed the LG that the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) has agreed to transfer the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to the University of Ladakh, subject to allocating the land of KVKs to University of Ladakh. He also informed that the matter of land transfer had been taken up with SKUAST-K and the Deputy Commissioners of Leh and Kargil.
The LG spoke to the Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir, Atal Dulloo and requested to hold a meeting with SKUAST and University of Ladakh to resolve the transfer of assets and land at the earliest. The LG instructed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ladakh to discuss the matter with SKUAST.
Razia Parveen, In-charge Lecturer called on the LG at the LG Secretariat. Commissioner Secretary to LG, L Franklin, IAS and Director School Education, Ladakh, Tsering Paldan, JKAS were present in the meeting.
Parveen apprised the LG that she is working as In-Charge Lecturer at Govt Boys Senior Secondary School, Leh and now has been transferred to Kargil district. She informed the LG about the medical condition of her mother-in-law and requested the LG to retain her in Leh so that she can take care of her mother-in-law.
The LG stated that Razia Parveen has been in Leh for 24 years of her service and the transfer of lecturers is done as per the transfer policy of the School Education Department and urged Parveen to join her duty at the new posting in Kargil for the smooth functioning of the school and the benefit of students.
