Leh, Dec 10: A delegation from National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Regional Office, Leh, led by its Executive Director, Shri Nirman Kishan Jambhulkar, called on the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), at LG Secretariat. Secretary, PWD, Shri Michael D’Souza, IAS, was present in the meeting.
Shri Jambhulkar apprised the HLG of various ongoing projects of NHIDCL in Ladakh, including the Kargil-Zanskar NH301 National Highway. He informed that around 100 km of road has been completed to date and they would attempt to complete the remaining work at the earliest. He informed the problem they faced in acquiring land for the completion of the said project work.
The HLG commended NHIDCL for their work and asked the NHIDCL officials to work to the best of their abilities for the project’s early completion.
A delegation from the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association, Leh, led by its Vice-President, Shri Tsering Nurboo, called on the HLG at the LG Secretariat. Advisor to the HLG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS and Secretary, PWD, Shri Michael D’Souza, IAS, were present in the meeting.
Shri Nurboo highlighted the need for recognition of the Bhoti language as a national language and its inclusion in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. He apprised the HLG of the study conducted by the Central Institute of Indian Language and the report submitted to the Government of India through the National Commission for Minorities in 2008-09. He also informed the HLG about various other steps taken by all state governments of northern India, including J&K, Himachal, Sikkim and Arunachal to recommend the inclusion of the Bhoti language in the 8th Schedule, etc. He further informed about the recent seminar on the Recognition of Bhoti Language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution organised by them in November 2023.
Advisor to the HLG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS, also highlighted the need for the protection and preservation of the Bhoti language. He also informed about the draft prepared by the Administration to recognise Bhoti as the fourth language of UT Ladakh and its submission to the Government of India for due consideration. This, he stated, would benefit Ladakhi youth from the Zanskar sub-division and Leh district who want to become Bhoti teachers.
The HLG asked Dr Kotwal to provide a draft copy and asked Dr Nurboo and others to follow it up with the concerned Ministry of Government of India.
Smt Stanzin Yangskit, a candidate aspiring for a government job on compassionate grounds under SRO-43, called on the HLG at the LG Secretariat. Deputy Secretary, Food & Supplies, Shri Swaran Singh, was present in the meeting.
Smt Yangskit informed the HLG about her prior meeting with the HLG and the instruction passed by him to the concerned department to look into her SRO case. She informed that despite the constitution of a committee, there has been a delay in taking any decision regarding her application to provide a job to her in place of her deceased father, who was an employee at the Food & Supplies Department.
Shri Swaran informed the HLG that the committee has taken the final decision and has recommended her case to the Department. He assured to complete the formalities at the earliest.
The HLG congratulated Shri Yangskit and wished her the best.
