Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, June 23: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh RK Mathur chaired a departmental review meeting today to discuss the progress of the Department of Agriculture/Horticulture/Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries/Power /Cooperatives/Youth Services and Sports, at Raj Niwas.
Mathur suggested the Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Department to increase the artificial insemination programme of cattle/livestock to 7000 per annum through private vendors on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis for long-term benefits.
The LG advised that a milk pasteurization unit may be set up in Kargil as per the capacity of milk production and stressed on the need to expand milk pasteurization units in Ladakh to meet the demand. He emphasized on the need to make the milk pasteurization unit at Leh functional and assess the number of milk production units required to meet the demands of milk from the Army.
He advised that certification of yak wool from the Government of India along with Geographical Indication (GI) tagging is needed for pashmina and yak wools. He stressed on the need for upgradation of the wool lab with assistance from Wool Research Association (WRA)/NITRA.
Mathur advised the Horticulture Department to engage a consultant for the development of the sector. He suggested setting up a Gamma Ray Radiation unit to increase the shelf-life of apricots and other perishable fruit items.
He advised Agriculture Department to adopt innovative techniques such as vertical farming. 0He suggested using drones on fields and using Agri technologies on a pilot basis in Ladakh. He advised the Cooperative Department for adopting the PPP model for the operation and maintenance of the cold storage in Leh. He also advised them to de-register the dead societies. He suggested setting up Bami Duniya medicine shops in all Community Health Centres (CHCs) in Ladakh.
During the review of the Youth Services and Sports Department, Mathur advised that a Sports Incentive Policy may be framed to provide cash awards, reservations in jobs and other support, including equipment and participation in different tournaments, to encourage sportspersons from Ladakh. He advised the Department to assist in the training of mountaineering guides from Ladakh who are seeking a 4-year certification course from IFMGA.
While reviewing the Power Development Department, LG Mathur advised that electrification of small villages in remote areas such as Pangong and Kargyam may be done through grid connectivity instead of solar in off-grid mode. He stressed on the need to develop an additional 100 MW project in association with a Navratna company.
Secretary Ravinder Kumar was present in the meeting.
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