Leh, Sept 05: A number of delegations called upon Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat on Thursday and briefed him of their issues and grievances.
A delegation comprising members of All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association led by its President, Skarma Delex expressed gratitude to the UT Administration for the provision of subsidies for the installation of individual 10KLD Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in small hotels with less than 20 rooms and 5KLD STPs in guest houses with less than 10 rooms.
He apprised the LG of the issues faced by the owners of new hotels, guest houses and homestays in Ladakh due to the limited footfall of tourists and requested the LG’s intervention in increasing the number of inbound flights from other states to Leh from the existing 16 flights per day to 22 per day as was the case two years ago. He suggested that the Tourism Department should prepare a calendar of activities/events for the next two years so that Ladakh tourism can be promoted to increase the footfall of tourists in the region.
Delex also expressed gratitude to the UT Administration for including tourism activities in the service sector of the Ladakh Industrial Policy. He requested the LG for reservation of the service sector, except for hospital/health-related activities, for the locals.
The LG asked Advisor to the LG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS, to provide subsidies to hotels/guest houses and ensure a timeline for installing individual STPs within the next two working seasons. The LG apprised the issues in increasing the number of flights to Ladakh due to the limited flying hours in the region. He asked the members of All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association to prepare a suggested calendar of festivals and events with doable points based on their requirements so that it could be reviewed by the concerned officials and implemented for the promotion of tourism in Ladakh.
The LG asked the members of All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association to reduce the number of borewells so that water could be preserved for future generations at least 30 years down the line.
Chunit Ladol, who is working as a draftsman with the Power Development Department (PDD) informed the LG that she was engaged as draftsman at PDD at a monthly salary of Rs 6000 which was later enhanced to Rs 14000 per month. She also informed the LG that she possesses the required certificate for the course of draftsman as per which she falls in the highly skilled category. She requested the LG for her inclusion in the highly skilled labour category so that she can be paid based on the revised category.
The LG asked the concerned officials to examine her certificate and her eligibility as a highly-skilled labourer so that necessary steps can be taken in this regard.
A delegation from Hardass village, Kargil, led by its Nambardar, Mohd Ibrahim expressed gratitude to the LG for the recent announcement of the creation of five new districts in Ladakh. He emphasised the importance of maintaining the status quo of Hardass village as a part of Kargil district instead of including the village with Drass village citing its proximity to Kargil town. Ibrahim also requested the LG to include Hardrass village in the Kargil Municipality.
The LG informed Ibrahim that committees would be formed to delineate the boundaries of the new districts keeping various factors in mind, including the proximity to the district headquarters for the convenience and benefit of the people of that district. He assured them that decisions would be made after thorough consultations with all relevant stakeholders and a proper examination of all factors. The LG stated that he would study the case of the inclusion of Hardass village in Kargil Municipality to see what could be done in this regard.
Mohd Abbas, father of Sajida Bano, who is working as Community Health Officer (CHO) at Health and Wellness Center in Kumdok Village in Nyoma Block, called on the LG at the LG Secretariat. Advisor to the LG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS; Commissioner/Secretary to the LG, Dr L Franklin, IAS and Director, Health Services Department, Dr Tashi Thinles were present in the meeting.
Mohd Abbas informed the LG that his daughter has been working at the Health and Wellness Centre in Kumdok for the past two-and-a-half years. He requested the LG for her transfer to Kargil district.
The LG stated that her post is non-transferable and highlighted the need to ensure the availability of health officials at the Health and Wellness Center for the benefit of the people of the village. He asked Dr Thinles to look into the matter.
A delegation comprising paediatrician, Dr Zahid Hussain and Anesthetist, Dr Yangzin Dolma, called on the Lieutenant Governor.
Dr Zahid and Dr Yangzin informed the LG about the completion of their tenure at Sub-Division Hospital, Disket and requested for transfer to SNM Hospital in Leh.
Dr Tashi informed the plan for transferring Dr Zahid and Dr Yangzin from SDH Disket to SNM Hospital, Leh along with their replacements.
The LG asked Dr Thinles to be forthright, firm and fair in his approach and the need to focus on equitable dispensation/distribution of staff in mind to provide effective healthcare facilities to the people of Ladakh. He also asked him to submit the proposal of consultants/doctors of the Health Department who have completed their tenure at respective health centres and are awaiting their transfers.
Differently-abled person, Tsewang Tharchen from Gya Sasoma called on the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), at the LG Secretariat.
Tharchen informed the LG about the injury to his spinal cord during the Kargil War in 1999 which rendered him bed-ridden along with his inability to work to earn a livelihood for his family members. He requested the LG to provide employment to his wife, Kunzes Angmo, who is 12th pass and the only earning member of the family.
The LG stated that he would look into his case and take the necessary steps accordingly.
