New Delhi, March 18, : Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, along with Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Mohammad Haneefa Jan, and Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Zakir Hussain, today called on the Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah , in New Delhi and submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting key issues and developmental demands concerning district Kargil of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
During the meeting, the delegation raised several important issues of public welfare and regional development. A key demand included the creation of two new districts, Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan, noting that these subdivisions are among the most populous and oldest in Kargil district, fulfil all necessary criteria, and their inclusion in the forthcoming official notification along with other newly announced districts in Ladakh was specifically called for.
The issue of air connectivity was strongly highlighted, with a request for operationalisation of civil flights from Kargil, extension of the existing runway, and expediting the process for establishing a full-fledged civil airport to ensure connectivity, especially during winter months when surface routes remain closed.
The memorandum also emphasised the need for restoration of Administrative Approval (AA)/ Expenditure Sanction powers up to ₹5 Crore to the Deputy Commissioner/CEO LAHDC Kargil to ensure timely execution of developmental works at the district level.
In the healthcare sector, the delegation sought sanction of a 200-bedded hospital for Kargil, citing increasing patient load and inadequate infrastructure at the existing 100-bedded district hospital.
Further, the CEC urged for early execution and operationalisation of the already sanctioned Engineering College in Kargil and called for the establishment of an Agricultural University to strengthen higher education and support the agrarian economy of the region.
To boost economic growth, the delegation requested a special financial package for tourism, agriculture, and horticulture sectors, noting the district’s growing export of apricots and apples to national and international markets.
The memorandum also included demands for raising a dedicated IRBn battalion exclusively for Kargil district to strengthen law and order and generate employment, as well as sanctioning a Women’s Degree College at Sankoo to facilitate access to higher education for girls and eliminate the hardships they currently face in pursuing education outside the district.
Dr. Akhoon further raised the issue of five already approved Hydro Electric Projects and requested the Hon’ble Home Minister to issue necessary instructions to the concerned ministries for their early execution and expeditious completion.
The Hon’ble CEC requested the Hon’ble Union Home Minister to take personal interest in these genuine demands and ensure their early consideration and fulfillment in the larger interest of the people of Kargil.
