Kargil/ Jan. 26: Despite bone chilling cold, the 72nd Republic Day was celebrated at Kargil today with immense patriotic zeal and gaiety. Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmed Khan hoisted the national tricolor at Khree Sultan Chow Sports Stadium and took salute at an im pressive march past by the male and female contingents of Ladakh Police and Police band party.

Executive Councillor for Tourism and Zanskar Affairs Er Phunsog Tashi, Executive Councilor for Health and Agriculture Muhammad Ali Chandan, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Baseer ul Haq Choudhary, Superintendent of Police Anayat Ali Choudhary, Brigade Commander 121 Infantry Division Vikas Bakshi, Director Tourism Ladakh Kunzes Angmo, Councilors, BDC Chairpersons, district officers besides the representatives of various political, social and religious organizations were present on the occasion. 

Khan while congratulating the peo ple on the 72nd Republic Day recalled the contributions of the mak ers of the Constitution and supreme sacrifices of the na tional heroes who laid down their lives for the country. He hailed the services of the Army, paramilitary forces and police in guarding the frontiers of the country in harsh weather conditions and for maintaining peace, order and internal security in the country.

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While highlighting the achievements, developmental activities underway and future plans of the present Council in Kargil District, the CEC said that the LAHDC, Kargil is fully committed towards the overall development of the district in all sectors and several important initiatives are presently underway in this regard.

The CEC said that developmental works are going on in full swing in sectors like Health, Public Works, Tourism, Youth Services and Sports, Rural Development while as concrete measures are being taken to augment other sectors.

With regard to the Public Works sector, the CEC said that during the current financial year, 3 major projects at a cost of more than Rs 27 crores have been completed while 3 steel girder bridges have been completed under Central Road Funds (CRF). He said that in addition to CRF and State Sector Plan, a number of projects have been taken in hand under the district plan out of which many have been completed.

Regarding the projects under New Connectivity, the CEC said that under this scheme 14 roads of total 38 kilometers length have seen completion during this financial year, while a total road length of 30 kilometers has been macadamized which would benefit more than 4000 souls.

As regards to the PHE Sector, Khan said that to provide safe and adequate drinking water facilities to people under Jal Jeevan Mission, 700 functional household connections have been provided so far, adding that as per the target fixed for the year 2022, 19000 such connections will be provided across the district.    

The CEC said that providing satisfactory accommodation facilities for residents, travelers and patients residing outside the district for education, employment, trade and other purposes is among the priorities of the Council and informed that the construction of Kargil Bhawan in Dwarka New Delhi is expected to start within the next three months and the project is targeted to be completed within 18 to 22 months. He further said that the construction of girls’ hostel at a cost of Rs 10 crores in Majin Sidhra Jammu is expected to be completed by April this year adding that tender has already been floated for construction of additional block of Kargil House Srinagar.

Making mention of the progress of works in health and tourism sector, CEC Khan stated that to provide satisfactory testing facilities to patients affected with COVID-19 pandemic, a dedicated COVID-19 hospital has been set up in the district with necessary facilities including direct oxygen supply and central heating system. He further said that with the timely help of the UT Administration, an Automatic COVID-19 RTPCR Testing laboratory has also been established in the district where 3143 tests have been carried out so far which has helped a great deal in diagnosing cases in a better manner.

Hailing the tireless efforts of the COVID-19 frontline workers in containing the spread of COVID-19 in the district, CEC Khan made special mention of the Deputy Commissioner and CEO LAHDC Kargil Baseer ul Haq Choudhary and all the officers of the Civil and Police Administration, doctors, paramedical staff as well as other Corona warriors and volunteers.

Regarding the steps underway for tourism promotion and infrastructural development in the sector, the CEC informed that work on creation of infrastructure and development of heritage sites, tourist reception centers, picnic spots and other related activities are going on at a cost of Rs 18 crores. He further added that to introduce the unemployed youths of the district to various career opportunities and exposure, for the first time the department of Tourism UT Ladakh organized a 20 days online acting course and 3 days photography workshop under the able guidance of the experts of national repute.

CEC Khan said that in order to streamline the education sector in the district, the Council is taking various concrete measures like development of government schools as model schools including up-gradation, framing of a rational transfer policy and training and orientation of teachers through various training and interactive programs. He further said that under Special Development Package (SDP), installation of central heating system in 10 higher secondary and 21 high schools, provision of heating equipments in 186 middle and 179 primary schools, provision of electricity in all government schools besides the construction of 4 residential hostels and 6 staff quarters is presently underway in the district at a total cost of Rs 23 crores and 25 lacs.

As regards to the development of Agriculture, Horticulture and allied sectors, the CEC stated that under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), high quality saplings are being provided to farmers and in this regard 37 hectares of land has been identified for plantation. He further said that Rs 3 crores and 90 lacs have been allocated under the agriculture sector for construction of agricultural farms, establishment of high-tech polycarbonate green house units, establishment of organic cluster villages, distribution of different types of seeds and pulses and other related measures.

Regarding the progress achieved under Rural Development sector, CEC Khan said that during the current financial year, under MG-NREGA, more than 18,000 job card holders of the district have been provided unskilled employment including about 12000 women. Under this program, during the current financial year, the district had received approval from the Central Government for 15 lac mandays at a cost of Rs 54 crores, out of which 11 lac mandays have been achieved so far.   

Mentioning the various steps being taken by the LAHDC, Kargil to provide employment opportunities in the government sector, the CEC said that the recruitment of unemployed youth has been carried out in various departments, and in this regard 388 youths have been recruited this year, adding that the Council is committed to conduct examinations for recruitments of candidates for various posts in different departments. He further stated that the LAHDC Kargil has already requested the LG Ladakh for early start of recruitment process and a positive headway is expected in this regard.

Congratulating the people of Kargil for the formal kick start of work on construction of Zojila tunnel, CEC Khan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this historic development. Khan also said that with the signing of MoU between the LAHDC Kargil and the Army for evacuation of Khurbathang Plateau, a new and well planned township in Kargil is expected to come up under the Smart City Mission.

The CEC while expressing happiness over the conferring of Padma Shri Award to Tsultrim Chonjor from Zanskar congratulated him on this great feat. He also congratulated the persons and organizations of Kargil district including Muhammad Ali Teacher, Kacho Ahmed Khan Theatre Artist, Baqirya Health Care and Research Center, Muhammad Baqir In-charge PP Minamarg, staff of designated COVID-19 hospital Kargil and staff working in all COVID-19 testing labs in Kargil district for achieving State Awards in various categories.

Meanwhile, colorful cultural programmes were presented by the artists of Ladakh Cultural Academy, Kargil.

Later, the CEC and other dignitaries distributed mementoes and certificates among the employees of various departments, meritorious students, members of NGOs, volunteers and individuals for their extraordinary performances and noteworthy contributions for public welfare especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prizes were also distributed among the participants of the March Past and cultural programmes.

Meanwhile, Republic Day was also celebrated at Sub Division Drass, Sankoo, Zanskar and Shakar Chiktan besides Tehsil Tai Suru and Shargole.

At Zanskar SDM Sonam Dorjey, at Shakar Chiktan SDM Kacho Asgar Ali Khan, at Drass SDM Muhammad Hassan, at Sankoo SDM Dr Sarwar Shahzad, at Tai Suru Tehsildar Sajjad Hussain and at Shargole Tehsildar Muhammad Hassan hoisted the tricolor and took salute at the march past. Colorful cultural programs were also presented on the occasion.