Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, Mar 12: Centre’s Special Representative for J&K, Dineshwar Sharma during his 4 days visit of Ladakh region today met a number of delegations and members of civil society here and listened to their demands and grievances.
During the course of the meeting a joint delegation comprising of the members of various religious organizations and political parties including Islamia School Kargil, Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust Kargil, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat Kargil, Anjuman e Sahab Zaman Kargil, Anjuman e Sufia Noorbakshia Kargil, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kargil, People’s Democratic party (PDP) Kargil, Indian National Congress (INC) Kargil and National Conference (NC) Kargil projected a number of demands.
The joint delegation unanimously called for the resolution of Kashmir issue through a purposeful dialogue process by involving all stakeholders, integrity of the State to be maintained at all costs, grant of provincial status to Ladakh region, construction of alternate highways and motorable roads like the Panikhar-Pahalgam Road, Hanu-Tiakshi Road over Chorbat La besides the opening of Kargil-Skardu and Nubra-Khapulu Roads.
While expressing gratefulness to the Government of India for clearing the Zojila Tunnel Project and the inclusion of Kargil under Udaan 2 Scheme, the joint delegation urged for timely allocation of financial resources for early start of work on the tunnel project, start of air services to the district under Udaan besides steps for expansion and renovation of Kargil Airport.
Other demands raised by the joint delegation included the vacation of Kurbathang Plateau by the Army authorities, construction of hydel project at Suru Valley, establishment of medical college in Ladakh, reservation in admissions to PG and PhD courses at the University level, enhanced employment opportunities to the unemployed youth in Central Services, inclusion of Kargil as an inspirational district by NITI Aayog, construction of Kargil Sarai at Delhi and restoration of the reservation in promotion to ST employees.
A delegation led by the Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor Kargil Kacho Ahmed Ali Khan urged for resolution of Kashmir issue that has direct bearings on the socio-economic and socio-political landscape of Kargil, empowerment of LAHDC by providing additional financial assistance on annual basis, extension and up gradation of Kargil airstrip and construction of air strip at Zanskar, establishment of separate wing of Ladakh Scouts for unemployed youth of the district and other demands.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Buddhist Association Kargil demanded for the creation of a third district comprising of the areas from Shargole to Khaltsi, grant of UT status to Ladakh region, inclusion of Bhoti language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution, passage of the Minority Property Safety Act Bill, construction of Buddhist temple, sarai and cremation ground in Kargil town, constitution of special team to oversee the status of developmental activities in Buddhist villages of the district besides the opening of higher secondary schools for girls.
Among other delegations, which met the Special Representative included a joint delegation from Zanskar Sub Division which projected a number of demands like grant of UT status to Ladakh, grant of district status to Zanskar, delimitation of Zanskar Legislative Assembly constituency, inclusion of Bhoti language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution, early completion of Nimoo Padum Darcha Road, construction of no frill airport at Zanskar, construction of separate division under PWD Circle Kargil for effective execution of works on NH 301, inclusion of Darcha Padum Kargil Road as an alternate route for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, development of tourism infrastructure under PMDP, up gradation of health facilities and development of education sector besides restoration of IAF chopper service for evacuation of serious patients.
During the course of meetings, a delegation from the border areas of Kaksar, Badgam, Karkitchu, Latoo and Hardass projected their demands like the provision of ALC certificate to the residents of these areas, allotment of land vacated by Indian Army to the local residents besides special quota to the youth of the area in belt forces.
Delegations from the Bar Association Kargil, Youth Action Committee besides representatives and members of other social, religious and cultural organizations also met the Interlocutor and projected their demands.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
