Leh, Jan 26 (KNO): The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur while highlighting the series of steps taken for the development of the region assured people that no decision about identity, land, environment and related issues will be taken without their consent.
Mathur, while addressing the gathering on the 72nd Republic Day celebrations, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the last year went fighting the deadly Covid-19 pandemic and the region has been successful in maintaining and improving the medical facilities with improvement in oxygen plants and laboratories.
"Testing labs for the Covid were established. Medical staff problems were mitigated. Dedicated Covid hospitals are catering to patients very well. The Covid recovery rate has increased by 98 per cent. All similar facilities were made available in remote areas of Ladakh," he said.
"Police, religious-political parties, private organizations along with the people of Ladakh have together fought the tough times," he said while thanking all for the cooperation.
Mathur said Rs 23 crore were given for the procurement of new medical equipment for the two districts.
While lauding the services of armed forces, he said that "I pay homage to all the fallen heroes who died while protecting the sovereignty of this country. They have always been there for the nation and standing even during the extreme cold and challenges."
Mathur congratulated the social worker from Ladakh who has been honoured with the Padma Shri award and an Army officer who laid life in the region with Shurveer Chakra.
The LG said that the ensuing year has started on a very positive sign with a successful run of vacation across the region.
Mathur while thanking the former council for their services, encouraged the new council and said that the administration last year conducted successful Hill Council elections that witnessed a huge public participation.
"A series of initiatives are being taken to strengthen both the Councils (LAHDC- Leh & Kargil) that includes training. Enhanced budget and all other things are being impressed upon," he said.
"To strengthen the grassroots democracy even in the frontier areas of the region the work to empower Panchayat Raj is underway through PRI's," Mathur said.
Mathur said that to achieve the 2050 vision plan laid by the Prime Minister of India all the departments are preparing five years action plan to make it a success.
“PM Modi’s vision of carbon-free Ladakh drives every developmental initiative,” said Mathur.
He described some of the unprecedented developmental projects being undertaken such as solar projects in Phyang (50 MW), 1 MW solar hybrid plant in Nyoma and Kargil (50MW).
Mathur said the ongoing process of developing Ladakh vision 2050 with the NITI Aayog and also the Leh vision 2030.
He assured the people of Ladakh that every decision will be taken considering the aspirations and concerns of people," he said. "There are many questions among the people about the land, identity, environment employment opportunity for youth and other issues."
"385 regular employees have been inducted by the administration through LAHDC Kargil with 600 engagements through outsourcing in the Ladakh region and the recruitment process through outsourcing is an important step," Mathur said.
About the education sector, LG said that the administration is working to improve ITI's, pyrotechnic's, EDI in modern education.
"The education sector suffered huge losses last year but the region is improving the network to ensure students get online classes and more procurement was done to facilitate the students," he said.
"For higher education, an engineering college is being set up at Kargil. 10 PG and UG hubs have been started under the university of Ladakh and a new central university has been announced for this region," the LG said
The LG said that a huge budget has been given to the Ladakh and it's a challenge to implement the big projects but the administration from now won't have the extreme cold hurdle anymore.
About the sports in the region, LG said that the administration is working to develop the sports infrastructure to facilitate the people associated with it be it any game.
The LG also said that the department of civil aviation on Rs 3.55 lakh crore has agreed to work on 36 new helipads to connect the remote areas and they'll be upgraded to accommodate big helicopters as well.
"A comprehensive plan is underway to provide Leh and Kargil uninterrupted air services during winters," he said.
"80 satellite phones have been procured for the people living in remote areas to mitigate their suffering during winters," the LG said.
The LG further said that new tourism and incentive tourism policy has been prepared besides the tourism sector will be improved
The power connectivity has been improved in the region and expect it to be 24/7 across the region, he said—(KNO)