Leh, Jan. 12: The Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism & Culture Department, UT of Ladakh Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan chaired a meeting at the UT Secretariat to discuss and review pending DPRs, and the status of critical/important projects pertaining to the development of tourism infrastructure in the UT.

During the course of the meeting, the Commissioner/Secretary took a comprehensive review of various ongoing and new projects under State Sector and SDP. He emphasized on the significance of adhering to timelines for DPR preparation and instructed the concerned officers to proactively work towards meeting the specified deadlines.

The Commissioner/Secretary directed the CEOs of Tourism Development Authority, Kargil/Leh/ Zanskar to submit list of all pending DPRs for approval within the next 3 days. He also directed the concerned officers to ensure proper briefing of the consultants regarding the scope of work (physical & financial) before preparation of concept plan & DPR for approved works. All essential requirements should be incorporated into the DPRs.

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The CEOs of TDAs in Leh/Kargil/Zanskar were tasked with presenting the concept plan/ppt of the approved works by 18th January 2024, before submitting the DPRs for approval. The Commissioner/Secretary further directed the TDAs to furnish a status report on tenders already floated, ready to be floated, and those under preparation for hiring of consultants for preparation of DPR in respect of new works under SDP approved plan for the financial year 2023-24. He also stressed on timely clearance of bills as per the latest fund reallocation.

The Commissioner/Secretary directed the CEO, TDA, Leh/Kargil/Zanskar [Convener of Leh/Kargil/Zanskar Tourism Authority] to convene meetings under the chairmanship of the CEC, LAHDC, Leh/Kargil (Chairman, Leh/Kargil/Zanskar Tourism Authority) regarding the working of the respective authority and preparation of plan of action for the financial year 2024-25. Underlining the need to maintain discipline, the Commissioner/Secretary directed the head of offices to ensure daily bio-metric attendance of employees in offices/worksites. A monthly report has to be submitted through the Director.

Biometric machine, if not yet installed in any office or tourist facility, must be installed immediately under intimation to the office of the Commissioner/Secretary through the Director, Tourism Department. He added that indiscipline shall not be tolerated. The Commissioner/Secretary stated that these directives are aimed at streamlining project processes, ensure timely execution, and enhance overall efficiency in the Tourism Department Ladakh.

Director, Tourism Department, Ladakh, Kunzes Angmo; Chief Executive Officer, TDA, Zanskar, Sonam Dorjay; Deputy Director (Planning), Tourism & Culture Department, Ladakh, Kacho Muhammad Hussain; OSD/Under Secretary, Tourism & Culture Department, Muhammad Ali Tak; In Charge Executive Engineer, TDA, Zanskar Tayeb Hussain; AEE, TDA, Kargil, Muhammad Tawha besides other concerned engineers of TDA, Leh and Kargil attended the meeting.