A delegation of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, led by its Chief Executive Councillor, Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo, met Governor N.N. Vohra at the Civil Secretariat here today. The delegation comprised Mr. Dorjey Motup, Mr. Tsering Angdus, Mr. Mumtaz Hussain, Mr. Tsering Sandup, Executive Councillors of the LAHDC Leh.
The delegation expressed their gratitude to Governor for his sustained support which has culminated in the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) Leh being granted deemed University status. The Governor stressed the need for developing CIBS as a Centre of Excellence in the comparative studies of Language, Culture and Philosophy. Regarding the demand of the delegation for introduction of PG courses in the Offsite Kashmir University Campus at Leh, the Governor observed that the Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, will very shortly examine the feasibility keeping in view the number of students applying for the courses, the availability of faculties and other factors.
The delegation urged the Governor for providing adequate funds for taking up permanent restoration of the damages caused by successive flash floods from year 2010 onwards; release of funds under TAMEIR Plan; funds for clearing pending work liabilities and completion of sports complex and Youth Hostel at Leh; regularization of casual workers of PDD; posting of Junior Engineers; sanction of projects under NABARD; construction of Pangong-Nan-Merak road under PMGSY (Tourism); release of funds under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme; and filling up vacancies in various government departments of Ladakh. The delegation also requested the Governor to make available the required funds for infrastructural development for “Kumbh Mela in Himalayas” at Hemis to be celebrated in the month of June-July this year.
The Governor gave a patient hearing to the demands raised by the delegation and assured them of time-bound action. The Governor directed the Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development to depute a Special Team for a detailed survey of all the issues relating to the works for permanent restoration; consider releasing funds to the tune of Rs. 15 crore for implementation of prioritized works for permanent restoration/ reconstruction; release funds upto Rs. 5 crore for implementation of projectised infrastructure development works for the “Kumbh Mela of Himalayas” at Hemis; the funds being spent by the Tourism Department in Ladakh region shall pass through and be closely monitored under the direct supervision of LAHDC Leh and Kargil. The Governor also directed the Chief Secretary to expedite the handing over of land for the development of new terminal at Leh Airport when he visits Kargil and Leh before 31st March, 2016, as already decided.