CEC hoists national flag at Khree Sultan Chow Sports Stadium Biamathang, hails sacrifices of national heroes

Kargil, August 15, 2024: Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon hoisted the National Flag at Khree Sultan Chow Sports Stadium Biamathang, Kargil and took the salute at the march past as the country celebrated the 78th Independence Day.

Contingents of Ladakh Police, Police Band Party, and students of various Government and private schools enthusiastically participated in the march past.

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Member of Parliament Ladakh, Mohmad Haneefa Jan; Executive Councilor, Kacho Mohammad Feroz; DC/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil, Shrikant Suse; SSP Kargil, Shree Ram R; Brigadier Prateek Parshar Commander 121 Brig.; Director RD&PRD; Director ULB; Director Tourism, Director Education; Joint Director Information, Ladakh; Ex-Minister (J&K) Qamar Ali Akhoon; ADC; ACR; senior officers besides District Officers of various departments, police officers, officials of different departments, representatives of religious organizations, public, students and staff of various government and private schools participated in the rally.

In his address, the CEC Dr Akhoon extended congratulations to the people on Independence Day and recalled the supreme sacrifices of the national heroes who laid down their lives for the country.

“The freedom we enjoy today was the result of the adversities and struggles they endured through the course of the freedom movement spanning several decades. We ought to be highly indebted to the brave heroes who sacrificed their lives to ensure us a prosperous and independent country to live in,” he said.

The CEC said that we all must develop the spirit of self-sacrifice and love for the sake of the country’s development and prosperity. He added we must uphold the principles of democracy and equality in our country and society.

Dr Akhoon reiterated to uphold the spirit of patriotism and humanity. He hailed the services of Army, paramilitary forces and police in guarding the frontiers of the country in harsh weather conditions for maintaining peace, order and internal security in the country.

The CEC reflected that LAHDC Kargil is leaving no stone unturned for the welfare of the people and have prioritized the projects that are important for public welfare and visible results are also seen in this direction.

Dr Akhoon said considering the importance of improving health services, hospitals and Health and Wellness Centres have been strengthened with dedicated efforts besides necessary infrastructure has also been created to further strengthen the sector. He said MRI will be installed soon at District Hospital Kargil. The CEC added that the old district hospital has been sanctioned as Urban PHC.

He said Tourism is a major contributor to the economy and LAHDC, Kargil will always place tourism in its priority list. The CEC called for strengthening of infrastructure at important tourist places across the district and for that steps have been taken through various schemes. He said to promote Kargil as a tourist destination necessary measures are being taken in collaboration with the travel trade fraternity of Kargil.

He further said that tourist places like Draupadi Kund, Bhim Rock, Chiktan Khar, LoC Viewpoint, Drass War Memorial and various important spots are being promoted to be located on the tourism map. The CEC further said 565 beneficiaries in the district have benefitted from the Revised Homestay Policy of the Tourism Department Ladakh.

To promote and strengthen the Animal Husbandry Department under various blocks, he said 221 Rarzi Shepherds have been supported besides at various grazing lands seven shelters were constructed and 15 more shelters will be constructed in the coming time.

To prioritize PHE-related works, fourteen thousand households are provided with fresh drinking water. The CEC said that water testing laboratories have been established in Shakar Chiktan, Baroo amd Sankoo through which people will have access to clean and pure water.

Dr Akhoon said work on sewerage network system including Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) will soon begin in Kargil town and on Kurbathang plateau.

He said hundreds of unemployed individuals have also been provided with employment opportunities adding that efforts are being made to fill vacant positions in various departments.

The CEC said with the efforts of LAHDC, Kargil, examination centres for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations have been established in Kargil district. 

He said to improve the electricity supply system in the district, in addition to laying 531 km of cable wire in Kargil town, 297 distribution transformers and 234 circuit km of 11 and 33 KV wires are being installed to ensure a stable power supply. The CEC said reconstruction work on Iqbal Hydel Power Project will begin soon, which will increase electricity production.

He said through the efforts of the Council for the first time since 2022, a sum of Rs 2 crore and 98 lakh stands released for welfare schemes of labourers and arrears have been given to the workers. Additionally, the arrears of the Old Age Pensions have also been released.

Dr Akhoon said in Kargil town, work on an important project will begin soon to ensure uninterrupted 24×7 supply of drinking water to people for which Rs 400 crore have been approved.

As far as the education system is concerned, he said the Hill Council has provided laptops worth Rs 60 lakh and 18 thousand rupees to 42 meritorious students in seven blocks of the district under the subsidy component.

During the previous winter vacations, free coaching was provided to 2,352 students of 10th and 12th grades at 34 hostels and 25-day boarding centres, which cost Rs 4,5 crore. There are plans to run a free coaching program again this year starting from the last week of August.

He explained that many educated unemployed individuals have been provided with employment by appointing them as teachers of Hindi, Urdu and Bhoti languages. To bring the infrastructure in the Education Department up to CBSE standards, construction work on 9 Higher Secondary Schools and 25 High Schools has been completed. 

He said it is planned that this year the construction of the district’s first dedicated residential school and hostel for physically challenged children at district headquarters will be started. 

The CEC said with the efforts of LAHDC, Kargil the upper limit for student admissions at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Khumbathang has been increased from 40 to 80.

He said the work on several major projects is progressing rapidly, including Zojila Tunnel, Kargil-Zanskar National Highway and the Kargil-Batalik-Khaltsi Road.

Dr Akhoon said to promote agriculture and allied sectors and for other public welfare schemes, farmers have been provided necessary equipment under subsidy component for setting up poultry units, breeding ram and goat units, and especially for constructing greenhouses to boost production of fresh vegetables during winter season in the district.

On behalf of the Hill Council Kargil, the CEC expressed his gratitude to the UT Administration, especially the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Dr. B.D. Mishra for providing assistance and cooperation in the overall development of the district.

He also expressed his gratitude to Executive Councilors, DC/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil, Shrikant, SSP Shree Raam R and other district officers, whose tireless efforts have made the timely completion of developmental activities possible.

The CEC also expressed gratitude to Directors, Chief Engineers and other HODs, whose constant presence has been instrumental in effectively resolving public issues on the spot. 

He urged media operating in the district to understand their responsibilities and avoid promoting sensitive and negative news, thereby truly uphold media as the fourth pillar of democracy.

He appealed to the people of Kargil, especially the religious, political, and social organizations, to cooperate with LAHDC, Kargil in making Kargil district prosperous and developed.

After his address, the chief guest and other guests gave awards to some 16 officers and officials of various departments for their extraordinary services in their respective field for the larger public welfare.

Later, students of different schools presented a cultural program cum skit competition that enthralled the audience. The programs included patriotic song, group patriotic song and skit on water conservation and awareness and another skit on the story of freedom fighters.

During the prize distribution ceremony, guests and dignitaries appreciated the students for their performance with certificates and momentos. The students who took part in the parade were awarded with consolation prize and momentos.