हिंदी
Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmed Khan hoists the national tricolor at Khree Sultan Chow Sports Stadium Biamathang
KARGIL AUGUST 15, 2020:- 74th Independence Day was celebrated at Kargil today with immense patriotic zeal and gaiety. Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmed Khan hoisted the national tricolor at Khree Sultan Chow Sports Stadium Biamathang and took the salute.
I contingent of Ladakh Police and Police Band Party participated in the flag hoisting ceremony.
No March Past and on spot cultural programmes were held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the whole Independence Day function was held amid strict observance of preventive measures and SOPs.
Executive Councillor for Works Mubarak Shah Nagvi, Executive Councillor for Tourism Er Phunsog Tashi, Executive Councillor for Health Muhammad Ali Chandan, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Baseer ul Haq Choudhary, SSP Kargil Dr Vinod Kumar, Chief Engineer PHE and I&FC Ladakh Ajaz Ahmad Khan, Director Education Ladakh Muhammad Mumtaz Ali, Director Animal and Sheep Husbandry Ladakh Dr Muhammad Raza Abbassi, SE PWD Er Ved Prakash, Additional SP Khalid Amin, Councilors, BDC Chairpersons, Army officers, district officers, COVID-19 frontline workers besides the representatives of various political, social and religious organizations were also present on the occasion.
CEC Khan congratulated people on the 74th Independence Day and recalled the supreme sacrifices of the national heroes who laid down their lives for the country. He said it was only through their supreme and selfless scarifies that we are able to live in an independent environment free from persecution and slavery.
The CEC said that the freedom we enjoy today was the result of the adversities and struggles they endured through the course of the freedom movement spanning several decades and hence we ought to be highly indebted to these brave heroes who scarified their lives to ensure us a prosperous and independent country to live in.
Khan also hailed the services of the Army, paramilitary forces and police in guarding the frontiers of the country in harsh weather conditions and for maintaining peace, order and internal security in the country.
The CEC appreciated the tireless efforts and noteworthy services of all officers and officials of the District Administration Kargil under the able guidance of the Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Baseer ul Haq Choudhary who have worked day in and day out in COVID-19 mitigation measures in the district. He also lauded the dedicated services of the SSP Kargil Dr Vinod Kumar, officers and officials of the Health Department, Police, Revenue, Municipal Committee, doctors, paramedical staff, Ashas, Anganwadi and ICDS workers, volunteers and all other employees who have taken great pains in ensuring the safety and welfare of the people during these testing times.
Khan also expressed his indebtedness to the religious and social organizations and the media fraternity in the district who have played a major role in imparting necessary awareness about the strict observance of COVID-19 preventive measures through various appeals, messages and awareness programmes from time to time which proved instrumental in containing the pandemic to a great deal in the district.
While extending gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Dr S J Shankar, Indian Ambassador in Iran Gaddam Dharmendra, India Army, Indian Air Force, Member Parliament Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and Iranian Government for their timely support and tireless efforts in ensuring the homecoming of the stranded Kargili pilgrims from Iran to their homeland, the CEC also expressed thankfulness to the UT Administration Ladakh for releasing Rs 7.50 crores for purchase of necessary medical equipments for COVID-19 prevention measures in the district and the evacuation of residents, students and patients from different parts of the country.
Highlighting the achievements, developmental activities underway and future plans of the present Council in Kargil District, the CEC said that the council is fully committed towards the overall development of the district in all sectors and several important initiatives are presently underway in this regard.
Khan said that for the first time in the history of Kargil, the Government of India has sanctioned Rs 232 crores under the Annual Capex Budget for the district and developmental works are presently going on in full swing in sectors like Health, Public Works, Tourism, Youth Services and Sports, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry while as concrete measures are being taken to augment other sectors also.
The CEC further informed that after the establishment of UT Ladakh, the Central Government has sanctioned more than Rs 400 crores for setting up of Raj Niwas, UT Secretariat, Police Headquarters, administrative blocks at all the Sub Divisions and residential facilities to the Secretaries, Directors and other employees.
“As a part of the efforts of the LAHDC, Kargil in providing better residential facilities to students and travellers in Jammu and Srinagar cities, work on the construction and renovation of girls’ hostels in Sidhra Jammu and Srinagar is going on in full swing while repair and renovation works of Kargil House Jammu have already been completed”, the CEC said.
Referring to the developmental activities under Education sector, CEC Khan said that Rs 12 crores and 12 lacs have been approved for construction, renovation and repairs of schools while Rs 2 crores and 12 lacs have been earmarked for provision of science laboratory equipments, computers and other office equipments to schools in different educational zones in the district.
As regards to the Health Sector, the CEC informed that a COVID-19 testing laboratory is being set up in Kargil shortly and work on its establishment is presently going on in full swing. He said that the facility is expected to be set up in 15 day’s time which would provide testing COVID-19 testing facilities in the district itself.
Khan further said that for construction of 300 bedded hospital and to equip it with latest machinery and equipments besides for construction of Paramedics School in the district, an amount of Rs 110 crores have been sanctioned by the Government of India under SDP out of which 50% of funds has already been released.
“To augment the health sector in terms of necessary infrastructural facilities, Rs 15 crores and 44 lacs have been approved under the Annual Capex Budget which would be expended on works including the purchase of latest machinery and equipments for District Hospital Kargil and CHC Drass and Padum besides the purchase of Critical Care Ambulances for District Hospital Kargil”, the CEC said.
Reiterating the commitment of the Hill Council towards the development of Agriculture which is the main source of livelihood for the people associated with the sector, the CEC said concrete measures are underway to augment the sector to improve farmers’ economy.
Khan said that the UT Administration has launched two schemes in the district namely the Mission Organic Development Initiative (MODI) and Deep Winter Green House Farming schemes at the cost of Rs 254 crores and Rs 38 crores and 22 lacs respectively under which numerous novel and effective measures would be taken to boost Agriculture and allied sectors like Horticulture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries and other related sectors thereby paving way to convert the agriculture into a viable, respectable and profitable occupation besides to provide the farmers with dynamic market opportunities.
Making mention of the developmental activities and other initiatives in the Tourism Sector, the CEC said that for the development of picnic spots, parks and provision of other requisite facilities for tourists visiting the tourist spots at Karchay Khar, Apati, Aryan Valley, Meenamarg, Zanskar and Suru Valley, 49 new works have been taken in hand at cost of Rs 7 crores and 24 lacs.
CEC Khan also said that the matter with regard to the grant of compensation in favor of the people associated with the Tourism Sector who have suffered great loss this year due to COVID-19 situation has already been taken up with the Government and a positive headway is expected in this regard soon.
Khan also congratulated the 3 candidates from Ladakh and their parents particularly Dr Nawas Sharafuddin who have cracked the prestigious UPSC Civil Services examinations this year and said that they have made the whole Ladakh proud on account of this accomplishment.
The CEC said that LAHDC, Kargil is taking concrete steps towards empowerment of the LAHDCs in terms of administrative and financial powers, employment opportunities to the unemployed youth and is also fully conscious about the issues and problems of the employees in the district. He said that several issues with regard to the early filling up of 5900 vacant posts, Domicile Law, Recruitment Rules, Reservation Policy, establishment of Public Service Commission besides other related issues are being vigorously taken up with the Government and positive results are expected in this regard.
Khan also expressed gratitude to his team of Executive Councilors and Councilors, Deputy Commissioner Kargil and the team of officers for continuous support and dedicated services in the implementation of the developmental works in the district. He also assured the BDC Chairpersons, Sarpanchs and Panchs that due care shall be taken about their roles and responsibilities in the development process and they would be extended all out support for effective implementation of developmental works and welfare schemes on ground.
The CEC also appealed people to follow the COVID-19 preventive measures and SOPs in letter and spirit so as to ensure safety of self, family and society as a whole from the deadly pandemic.
Meanwhile, pre-recorded colorful patriotic songs and skits on COVID-19 mitigation measures prepared by Ladakh Cultural Academy Kargil and DIPR Kargil were also relayed on the occasion.
Later, the CEC and other dignitaries distributed mementoes and certificates among the COVID-19 frontline workers for their extraordinary and exemplary services for public safety and welfare, meritorious students of 10th and 12th Class Annual Board Examinations, prize winners of Online Essay Competition on Patriotism and National Integration.
UPSC Civil Services qualifier Dr Nawas Sharafuddin was also felicitated on the occasion.
Prizes were also given to the participants of the Flag Hoisting Ceremony and pre-recorded cultural programmes.
Meanwhile, Independence Day was also celebrated at Sub Division Drass, Sankoo, Zanskar and Shakar Chiktan besides Tehsil Tai Suru and Shargole.
SDM Sankoo Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani hoisted the national tricolor at Aga Syed Haider Rizvi Memorial (ASHRM) Higher Secondary School Sankoo, SDM Drass Asgar Ali at Higher Secondary School Drass, SDM Shakar Chiktan Kacho Asgar Ali at SDM Office Premises Shakar Chiktan and SDM Zanskar Sonam Dorjay at Dak Bungalow Padum respectively.
Tehsildar Tai Suru Sajjad Hussain unfurled the national flag at Higher Secondary School Panikhar while as Naib Tehsildar Shakar Chiktan Ali Mussa hoisted the tricolor at Higher Secondary School Shargole.
