Srinagar
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, who is here on the second leg of her three day tour of Ladakh region, on Monday announced a grant of Rs. Ten crore to Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh for completing various on-going projects and also meeting some past liabilities.
The Chief Minister made this announcement while interacting with a delegation of LAHDC, Leh members led by Chief Executive Councilors, Dr Sonam Dawa, which called on her.
Mehbooba Mufti hoped that the money would be used for creating more tourist facilities in the region and also for completing some critically important projects particularly in flood protection.
The delegation also demanded filling up of all vacant posts in the district including those of doctors and paramedics. They also demanded that funds released to both the Hill Councils of Leh and Kargil be made non lapsable in view of the limited working season in the region. They also sought posting of Bodhi and Arabic teachers to teach the subjects in the local schools.
A deputation of women councilors also met the Chief Minister during her stay and demanded ban on the sale of wine and liquor given its ill consequences on the society. They also demanded setting up of a fast track court to conclude the cases of harassment and crime against women in the district. They also sought setting up of a hostel for girl students of the local college.
The Chief Minister directed the district administration to pace up the investigation into the cases of criminal assault against women and also work out the feasibility of setting a women’s hostel at Leh.
Deputations of Buddhist scholars, local contractors and employees also met Mehbooba Mufti and brought their problems into her notice.
The Chief Minister assured the deputationists that their genuine demands would be looked into on priority by her Government.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has stressed on creating eco-friendly tourist assets which are in tune with local aesthetic taste and ecology.
Chairing a review meeting of Leh Tourism Development Authority here today, the Chief Minister directed the officers to complete the works taken up for developing wayside facilities at tourist destinations at the earliest so that the visitors are not inconvenienced. She also directed that assets be raised in such a manner that these do not disturb the local ecosystem, local architectural pattern or the heritage value of a place.
Mehbooba Mufti directed improvement of facilities in tourist villages without disturbing their ecology or heritage value. She also asked for developing tourist facilities as per the needs and suggestions of local representatives.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the pace of work on Convention Centre, Leh and directed its early completion by prioritising its various components. She also directed pacing up work on other tourism related works so as to ensure their completion before the end of this year.
Earlier, Chief Executive Officer, Leh Tourism Development Authority, Dr. Zahida Bano in her presentation gave an overview of tourism potential of Leh and the measures being taken for its optimal exploitation.
