Hon’ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) attends function to celebrate 6th Foundation Day of UT Ladakh

Highlights various achievements, initiatives for benefit of Ladakhis since formation of Ladakh as a separate Union Territory

Leh, Oct 31, 2024: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) and First Lady, Smt Neelam Mishra attended the function to celebrate the 6th Foundation Day of UT Ladakh at Eco Park in Main Market of Leh town. Ladakh became a Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.

Wishing the people of Ladakh on its 6th Foundation Day, the HLG stated that there were very few development projects for Ladakh when the region was still a part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The HLG highlighted the focus on efforts to develop Ladakh and his goals and aspirations for UT Ladakh for which he sought cooperation from the citizens of Ladakh to take the region forward on the path of development. He also highlighted initiatives taken by the UT Administration with support from the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah in all sectors, including the Dark Sky Reserve at Hanley, the permission for foreigners to stay overnight at Hanley, the Ladakh Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2023 to promote industrial development in the region by supporting local entrepreneurs and attracting investments, the ongoing work at Zoji-La Tunnel, the construction and blacktopping of roads, construction of bridges, the installation of smart meters, transformers and transmission lines, the Ladakh Homestay Policy 2023 for promotion of rural/border tourism, etc.

The HLG also informed about his meeting with the Hon’ble Home Minister in which he briefed him about the issues faced by the people residing in border areas in meeting the concerned Deputy Commissioners due to the long distances and about his dream to create new administrative set-ups for the benefit and convenience of the people of Ladakh. He stated that it was the result of the meeting that the Home Ministry announced five new districts for Ladakh. He highlighted the need to use this ‘gift from the Home Ministry’ effectively and efficiently under the supervision of the concerned Deputy Commissioners of the new districts to implement the district plans efficiently for the benefit of the people of Ladakh.

The HLG highlighted the need to reduce overdependency on contractors so that the villagers’ agricultural fields are not affected by the installation of transmission lines. Stating that there has been a delay in notifying gazetted posts, the HLG mentioned that efforts are being made to provide gazetted posts to Ladakhi youth with help from the UPSC. He also informed about the plan to make Ladakh self-sufficient by selling power through the 13 GW solar power plant at Puga along with the growth of fodder for cattle at the solar power plant site and employing the locals.

The HLG also shared his plans to provide coaching classes to local youth preparing for competitive exams, reducing dependency on borewells and using surface water instead to conserve water for future generations through the two pilot projects in Leh and Kargil, encourage and empower women from Ladakh to become Lakhpati Didi, etc. He shared his initiatives to empower local youth, including the performance of 12 students from Leh and Kargil at the Rashtrapati Bhawan for the Hon’ble President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu on the UT Ladakh Foundation Day in New Delhi and the training of girls from Kargil in polo and horse riding from the President’s Body Guard in New Delhi.

Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson congratulated everyone on the Foundation Day of UT Ladakh and stated that Ladakh has made rapid progress over the last five years since Ladakh became a separate Union Territory. He highlighted the initiative taken by Ladakh to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality and efforts made in this regard through the plantation of trees, providing subsidies to purchase e-vehicles, construction of Ladakh Green Houses, the ongoing projects to develop solar power plant, geothermal energy and hydrogen fuel in Ladakh and the successful holding of the Climate Cup to sensitise people about the importance of environment protection and the impact of climate change, etc.

The HLG and First Lady inspected the stalls displaying handloom and handicraft products and interacted with them.

Earlier, the function started with Lhar-nga (a musical offering to God) followed by cultural performances, including the Sheena dance, Jabro dance and Shondol dance. A document on the Achievements of UT Ladakh over the last 5 Years was also screened on the occasion.

CEC, LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson; Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Shri Mohmad Haneefa; Executive Councillors/Councillors from LAHDC Leh; DGP Ladakh Police, Dr Sd Singh Jamwal, IPS; Administrative Secretaries; officials from the Indian Army, armed and paramilitary forces; Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Shri Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS; SSp Leh, Ms Shruti Arora, IPS; Kacho Asfandyar Khan, IAS (Retd); heads of religious and political organisations; prominent citizens, government officials and school students were present during the UT Foundation Day celebrations.