The 73rd Independence 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 Biamathang. The CEC took salute at an im¬pressive march past presented by contingents of Jammu and Kashmir Police, NCC , Police and civil band parties besides contingents of government and private educational institutions.Executive Councillor for Rural Development Aga Syed Mujtaba, Executive Councillor for Works Aga Syed Abbass, Executive Councillor for Health Muhammad Ali Chandan, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Baseer ul Haq Choudhary, Principal District and Session Judge Kargil Reyaz ul Haq Mirza, Commandant IR 17 Battalion Benam Tosh, Superintendent of Police Kargil Dr Vinod Kumar, ADC Kargil Sonam Chosjor, Additional SP Khalid Amin, Councilors, Army officers, district officers besides the representatives of various political, social and religious organizations were also present on the occasion. Khan while congratulating peo¬ple on the Independence Day recalled the supreme sacrifices of the national heroes who laid down their lives for the country.While highlighting the achievements, developmental activities underway and future plans of the present Council in Kargil District, the CEC said that the council 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, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry while as concrete measures are being taken to augment other sectors also.He said that under Central Road Funds (CRF) out of Rs 124 crores sanctioned for 7 major schemes in the district, Rs 32 crores have been expended on the construction of several major roads in the district.
He said adding that work on other related projects as well as 47 projects approved under languishing is going on in full swing.Regarding PHE Sector, the CEC stated that in order to provide satisfactory drinking water supply to people 19 out of 28 water supply schemes sanctioned under NRDWP and 3 schemes under languishing have been completed so far, while as the remaining projects are under different phases of completion.The CEC while expressing his thankfulness to the Governor Administration for recent announcement of 2 new degree colleges for the district and sanctioning of Cluster University. He also expressed optimism that the Government will take steps for early operationalization of Cluster University for which office facility has already been provided at Kargil.Khan also mentioned about the pace of progress on the solar and hydel projects by Kargil Renewable Energy Development Agency (KREDA) in the district and said that coming up of these projects is expected to help Kargil emerge as a self sufficient district in terms of power generation. The CEC said that the process of identification of land for establishment of 50MW solar power project for Kargil Town is presently under progress.Making mention of the developmental activities and other initiatives in Tourism Sector, the CEC said that apart from the holding of Kargil Ladakh and Zanskar Tourism festivals this year, fame tours of eminent national level tour operators and travel writers were also organized thereby ensuring efficient publicity of the cultural heritage, natural beauty and tourism potential to attract maximum number of domestic and foreign tourists to the district.Khan said that to develop tourism infrastructure in the district, Rs 15 crores under Swadesh Darshan PMDP are being spent on the establishment of tourist reception centers, cafes and other facilities.With regard to the steps being taken to augment Horticulture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry and allied sectors to give boost to farmers economy, the CEC said that out of Rs 524 crores sanctioned under IWDP for Pashmina production in the district.Later, colorful patriotic and cultural programmes were presented by the artists of Cultural Academy and students of various Government and private educational institutions.Prizes were also distributed among the participants in the March Past and cultural programmes.Meanwhile, Independence Day was also celebrated at Sub Division Drass, Sankoo, Zanskar and Shakar Chiktan besides Tehsil Tai Suru and Shargole.