Kargil , Mar 19: A delegation from Kargil, Ladakh met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and submitted a memorandum on key developmental issues.
The delegation comprised of Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr Muhammad Jaffer Akhoon, Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Muhammad Haneefa Jan, Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Zakir Hussain, called on the Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah, in New Delhi and submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting key issues and developmental demands concerning district Kargil of the Union Territory of Ladakh. During the meeting, the delegation raised several important issues of public welfare and regional development. A key demand included the creation of two new districts, Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan, noting that these subdivisions are among the most populous and oldest in Kargil district, fulfil all necessary criteria, and their inclusion in the forthcoming official notification along with other newly announced districts in Ladakh was specifically called for.
The issue of air connectivity was strongly highlighted, with a request for operationalisation of civil flights from Kargil, extension of the existing runway, and expediting the process for establishing a full-fledged civil airport to ensure connectivity, especially during winter months when surface routes remain closed.
The memorandum also emphasised the need for restoration of Administrative Approval (AA)/ Expenditure Sanction powers up to Rs 5 Crore to the Deputy Commissioner/CEO LAHDC Kargil to ensure timely execution of developmental works at the district level. In the healthcare sector, the delegation sought sanction of a 200-bedded hospital for Kargil, citing increasing patient load and inadequate infrastructure at the existing 100-bedded district hospital. Further, the CEC urged for early execution and operationalisation of the already sanctioned Engineering College in Kargil and called for the establishment of an Agricultural University to strengthen higher education and support the agrarian economy of the region. To boost economic growth, the delegation requested a special financial package for tourism, agriculture, and horticulture sectors, noting the district’s growing export of apricots and apples to national and international markets. The memorandum also included demands for raising a dedicated IRBn battalion exclusively for Kargil district to strengthen law and order and generate employment, as well as sanctioning a Women’s Degree College at Sankoo to facilitate access to higher education for girls and eliminate the hardships they currently face in pursuing education outside the district.
Dr Akhoon further raised the issue of five already approved Hydro Electric Projects and “requested the Hon’ble Home Minister to issue necessary instructions to the concerned ministries for their early execution and expeditious completion.” The CEC requested the Union Home Minister to take personal interest in these genuine demands and ensure their early consideration and fulfillment in the larger interest of the people of Kargil. “ Had a detailed and meaningful meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah Ji along with Dr Muhammad Jaffer Akhoon, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, and Zakir Hussain, Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil. We discussed several important issues concerning Kargil and also raised the matter of Ladakhi students and tullab who are still in Iran, requesting urgent steps for their safe evacuation as their families back home are deeply worried about their safety” MP Hanifa Jan said.
MP said that they expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of India for the timely and safe evacuation of our Zawars (pilgrims) from Iran to India and for making all necessary arrangements. Hope that all remaining students and residents will also be brought back safely at the earliest.
“During the meeting, we also submitted a memorandum highlighting key developmental demands of Kargil,”he said hincluding the creation of new districts of Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan, improved air connectivity for Kargil, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expediting the Engineering College, establishing an Agricultural University, promoting tourism, agriculture and horticulture, and other important measures aimed at the overall development and welfare of the people of Kargil.
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