Srinagar
Governor, Satya Pal Malik on Thursday presided over the 30th-anniversary celebration of SECMOL, founded by Sonam Wangchuck in Phey, Leh.
The spokesman said that he was accompanied by Advisors; B.B Vyas, K Vijay Kumar, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai; B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary and Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor Besides, Dorjey Mutup, CEC, LAHDC, Tsering Angdus, EC (Agri), Gyal Wangyal, EC (Health), Tsering Sandup, EC (Tourism), Mumtaz Hussain, EC (Animal Sheep Husbandry) Avny Lavasa, Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Sargun Shukla, Senior Superintendent of Police Leh, Army Officers and other dignitaries along with, the students were present on the occasion.
While appreciating the efforts of SECMOL in providing education and life skills to the students, Governor said that “empowerment comes with the education and people which give priority to education ensure a bright future for their nation, taking it on the path of development in the true sense.”
Governor appreciated Sonam Wangchuk for his commitment and conviction in taking up challenges and lauded his endeavor in keeping youth connected to their roots with a sense of honour in their rich culture, traditional knowledge, and moral values.
He stressed on ensuring opportunities for the creative engagement of youth and enabling them to explore their potential and excel in different fields. He said that the priority of Governor’s Administration is on outreach and interaction with people at ground level and hearing their grievances. He added that their efforts are on to create an atmosphere for dialogue to address the issue of Kashmir.
A memorandum between Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) and Kashmir University and a memorandum between HIAL and J&K Bank for coordinated efforts and financial assistance in the running of the University in Pheyang was signed in presence of the Governor.
Meanwhile, Governor Malik undertook his maiden visit to Leh to review the scope of ongoing developmental activities in the region. He was accompanied by Advisor B.B Vyas, K Vijay Kumar, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam and Principal Secretary to Governor Umang Narula.
The spokesman said that during the visit, Governor held meetings with Thupstan Chhewang, MP; Chering Dorjay, MLC and former Minister; Nawang Rigzin Zora, MLA, and former Minister and representatives of political parties.
The Governor also met with several local delegations that submitted memoranda pertaining to their demands and issues, which included the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council led by CEC, LAHDC Dorjey Mutup, Ladakh Students’ Educational and Environmental Action Forum (LEAF), Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA), All Ladakh Muslim Coordination Committee (ALMCC) and INC delegation led by MLA Leh Nawang Rigzin Jora.
During the meeting, CEC, Sh. Dorjey Mutup expressed his gratitude to the Governor for the recent approval of the draft ‘Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018 and sanction of funds for various projects in the district. He also raised several pertinent issues including a shortage of staff in various departments and early filling up of these vacancies, issue of daily wage laborers and clearance of liabilities.
The student representatives demanded timely conduct of college exams besides requesting for making Leh and Nubra Degree College independent of Kashmir University in the conduct of exams, declaration of results and framing of question papers. They also put forth the concerns faced by Ladakhi students studying outside in getting scholarships.
Representatives of LBA reiterated their demand for inclusion of Bhoti language in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution, besides requesting for the creation of 148 new posts for Bhoti teachers and police range for Ladakh. LGA came up with similar demands, besides, requesting for grant of suitable land in Jammu to build a religious center for Ladakhis, especially for students studying in Jammu. They also presented a resolution passed unanimously by all political and religious organizations to ban liquor bars in Leh district.
Further, they also advocated for granting voting rights to Tibetans settled in Ladakh, registration of land as per previous land records in the name of monasteries and allotment of two teachers in 45 monasteries to strengthen monastic education.
Similarly, ALMCC and INC delegations also presented a detailed memorandum and put forth their demands. INC demanded the inclusion of Leh city in the Smart City scheme, improvement of mobile connectivity, lowering of airfares, making of BADP allotment block-wise, exemption from GST, augmentation in PDS ration quantity, early setting up of the proposed Medical College in Leh besides submitting the issues of daily wagers, casual laborers for early resolution.
The Governor gave a patient hearing to the demands and grievances put forth by several delegations. He assured due consideration to the demands and appropriate necessary action for early redressal.
He advised that an appropriate proposal is formulated to develop Leh as a model city and to promote it as an environment-friendly city highlighting the rich heritage, natural resources, architecture, local culture, and traditions.
Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam apprised the meeting that nearly Rs 180 crores have been approved for the languishing projects in Leh district to be taken up through newly set up Jammu Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation (JKIDFC). Further, additional projects will be taken up in the district to give impetus to the developmental activities in the region, he added.
Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh accompanied the dignitaries.
