Even IGP not posted despite lapse of over 3 months
Several concerns of Leh, Kargil people remain unresolved
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 17: Though over three months have lapsed since the creation of separate administrative and revenue division for Ladakh yet Government has not taken any decision on creation of divisional level posts of various departments without which divisional status is not going to address the concerns and issues of the people of Leh and Kargil districts.
The divisional status to Ladakh region was announced by the Government on February 8, 2019 and sanction was also accorded to the creation of posts of Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police.
Further, a committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary to Government, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department to identify the posts of divisional level heads of various departments that may be required for the new division particularly their staffing pattern, role and responsibilities and proposed location of these offices.
The committee comprising of Administrative Secretaries of several important departments had detailed deliberations with all the concerned authorities including Chief Executive Councillors (CECs) of the Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil and Deputy Commissioners of both the districts after which members of the committee gave their independent opinion on the subject.
“It is officially learnt that the committee has submitted its report to the Government but no further decision has been taken till date”, official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding “even detailed discussion on the recommendations of the committee has not been initiated although there is no restriction under the Model Code of Conduct for this exercise”.
They further said, “the approval of the State Administrative Council is required to the creation of posts of divisional level heads of various departments and their staffing pattern etc but a formal proposal for placement before this highest body has not been drafted till date by the concerned authorities”.
“In order to ensure that real benefit of granting divisional status to Ladakh percolates to the people in shortest possible time the concerned authorities should have completed all the formalities by now for placement of proposal vis-a-vis creation of posts and other connected issues before the State Administrative Council in its very first meeting after lifting of Model Code of Conduct”, sources further said.
What to talk of finalizing a proposal for consideration of State Administrative Council, even Inspector General of Police for Ladakh has not been posted although post was created at the time of granting divisional status to Ladakh, they said, adding “unless posts of divisional heads of the departments are created and officers posted the grant of divisional status is not going to serve any purpose”.
“Not only these, the Government is also required to resolve other issues which were brought to the notice of the committee headed by Principal Secretary Planning Department”, sources said while disclosing that the Hill Councils have also demanded up-gradation of post of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Councils to ensure that new Directorates function under the overall control and superintendence of the Hill Development Councils
Even demand has been raised for creation of all the posts on the lines of other two divisions of the State besides creation of separate Directorates of Hospitality, Tribal Affairs and Civil Aviation and equitable distribution of Directorates between the two districts.
“The real objective of granting divisional status to Ladakh can be achieved only when all these issues are resolved in a time bound manner otherwise the decision is not going to benefit the people riddled with insurmountable problems with respect to delivery of developmental schemes and conduct of administrative affairs and governance”, sources said.
It is pertinent to mention here that Ladakh is one of the most sparsely populated regions and is the highest plateau in the State with most of it being over 9,800 feet above sea level. Moreover, Ladakh region is geographically isolated with a sparse population and inhospitable terrain which remains landlocked for nearly six months in a year as such fully functional administrative and revenue division is imperative.
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