*Takes up connectivity problems with Gadkari
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Nov 11 : Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, R K Mathur today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed a host of issues pertaining to the Union Territory.
Lieutenant Governor briefed the Union Minister about the current scenario following the LAHDC elections and also apprised him of the progress of various Centrally funded projects.
Dr Jitendra Singh congratulated Mathur for the successful and peaceful conduct of LAHDC elections and also conveyed the appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the same. He said, these elections assumed special significance since this was the very first electoral exercise after Ladakh became a Union Territory.
While discussing the various projects, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accorded highest priority to Ladakh and other peripheral regions. He said, it was for the first time under the Modi government that Ladakh had been granted a University, a Medical College and an Engineering College.
Dr Jitendra Singh also informed the Lieutenant Governor that the Director General of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) Dr. Shekhar Mande had charted out an exclusive plan to promote, process and do business in the famous Ladakh fruit product called “Ladakh berry’’.
Mathur gave Dr Jitendra Singh an update on the preparation of the policy and action plan for “Carbon Neutral” Ladakh as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He informed the Minister that the Union Territory government is earnestly working on a comprehensive plan which would be ready to be placed before the higher authorities.
Mathur also gave an update about an inclusive action plan titled “Ladakh Vision 2050”.
The Lieutenant Governor also referred to the Rs 50 crore special development package for Ladakh and said this was for the first time that any Central government had been so liberal in funding the various projects for the region. He said, this will be the first of its kind roadmap devoted exclusively to the Ladakh region.
Mathur thanked Dr Jitendra Singh for his continuous support and for his day to day coordination in taking up various Ladakh related matters with different Ministries at the Centre.
Meanwhile, R K Mathur has sought Centre’s help to exploit the full economic potential of Pashmina produced in the Union Territory.
Mathur raised the issue during a meeting with Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Nitin Gadkari.
Mathur met Gadkari to discuss developmental projects in Ladakh.
He stressed on the need to support promotion of Pashmina as a means of rural livelihood and revenue generating avenue for youth, the spokesman said.
Mathur also thanked the minister for sanctioning and launching the work on Zojila tunnel, which after completion would provide all weather road between Kashmir and Ladakh.
The spokesman said the Minister assured that Zojilla tunnel project would be completed in a few years.
“Other issues of road connectivity including national highways and internal roads in Ladakh, need for additional tunnels, assistance to local MSMEs were also discussed at length,” the spokesman said.
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