Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, June 12: Stating that his Government is moving in the direction to bring in equitable and all-round development of the State, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today said Kargil is an unknown destination and its variety of assets will be brought into limelight to fully tap its vast potential.
The Chief Minister was addressing a huge gathering of people at Kargil Park, here today.
Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar, MLA, Zanskar, Aga Syed Mohammad Baqir Rizvi, Principal Secretary, Planning, B. R. Sharma, Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Shailendra Kumar and Deputy Commissioner, Kargil were also present.
Referring to the measures being taken for tourism promotion of Kargil, Mufti Sayeed said a Mega Kargil Tourism Festival involving principal stakeholders will be organized shortly to bring the place on the tourism map of the State. “Adventure and cultural tourism of Kargil will be highlighted for which FAM tours for connected stakeholders will also be organized,” he said.
Placing high priority on air connectivity, the Chief Minister said the Government will soon take up with the Centre the issue of expansion of Kargil Airport so that it is able to operate commercial flights to boost tourism potential of the area.
In order to boost trade ties, Mufti Sayeed said trade link between Kargil and Skardu should be opened, on the lines of Uri-Muzaffarabad and Chakan da Bagh-Rawalakote in Kashmir and Jammu divisions respectively.
Describing availability of electricity as a major area of concern in Kargil, Mufti Sayeed said laying of Leh-Kargil-Srinagar Transmission Line will be expedited to provide regular power supply to the people. In the interim, he directed Principal Secretary, Planning & Development, to release funds so that PDD ensures dedicated power supply during fasting month of Ramadhan, especially during sehri (start of fast) and iftaar (breaking of fast) , by operating diesel generator sets.
Speaking on the new recruitment policy, the Chief Minister said it has been specifically devised, keeping in view the requirement of far-flung and inaccessible areas like Kargil and Leh. “Ladakh region has always suffered due to shortage of manpower in health and education sectors. The Cabinet Subcommittee is working on giving final shape to the new policy which will go a long way in filling up of posts in remote areas of the State,” he observed.
Referring to the Government’s decision to introduce Market Intervention Scheme in Horticulture sector to improve the quality of fruit, Mufti Sayeed said four apricot-producing villages in Kargil will be taken up under the scheme in the first instance.
The Chief Minister also assured that a proper rehabilitation package would be formulated for those who were affected by bursting of artificial lake created in Phutkal in Zanskar that triggered landslides causing damage to public property and evacuation of people from vulnerable areas.
Earlier, on his arrival at Kargil, the Chief Minister was received by CEC, Mohammad Hanifa Jan, & other Executive Councillors of LAHDC, Kargil. He was given a rousing reception by a sea of people who had lined up to receive him.
On his first visit to Kargil after becoming the Chief Minister, Mufti Sayeed was taken in a procession through the market to Islamia School, where he met prominent scholars, including President of Islamia School, Kargil, Aga Syed Jamal-ud-din.
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