Leh: The Chief Secretary of Union Territory of Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal Wednesday addressed the media in a press conference at the Civil Secretariat Leh.
While addressing the press conference, he said that significant investments have been made in improving major developmental projects such as on road connectivity, tourism development, projects of Power Development Department, health care education, employment and skill development, construction of new highways, bridges, and strengthening of e office, which brought digital transformation in government operations, aiming to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability by replacing manual processes with an electronic file.
The Chief Secretary outlined key progress areas and future plans that aim to enhance infrastructure, promote economic growth, and improve the quality of life for the residents of Ladakh.
Addressing the challenges in the health sector, education, creation of gazetted posts, solar energy and promotion of home stay schemes, construction of strategic tunnels and roads, protection of fragile ecosystems, the Chief Secretary said that UT Ladakh has worked tirelessly and has achieved major breakthroughs in all sectors.
For making Ladakh carbon neutral, the Chief Secretary said that 10,000 MW solar power plant has been sanctioned by the government of India, the project will boost Ladahk’s economy and generate employment opportunities.
He further said that strategic tunnels like Zojila have been completed 64% while the work on Shinkula tunnel is on progress rapidly and they will provide year-round connectivity to the people of Ladakh.
The administration is also working on strengthening the power and water supply systems to meet the increasing demand, he said that people should use solar energy to protect Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem.
In terms of the health and education sector, the administration is prioritizing the establishment of a new medical college in Leh and posts have already been sanctioned.
The Chief Secretary said that vacancies of doctors and medical officers at various hospitals in Ladakh have been filled under NHM.
He further informed that permanent posts of doctors and medical officers, lecturers to be filled after the finalisation of resident criteria for gazetted posts in UT Ladakh.
The Chief Secretary emphasized that tourism is the prime industry for UT Ladakh, efforts are being taken to increase tourist footfall in the region, he said that UT administration is holding review meetings with concerned stakeholders aimed to develop sustainable tourism.
During the interaction, the Chief Secretary also answered questions from the media, addressing concerns and providing clarity on the issues such as: poaching, filling of gazetted posts, solid waste management, women empowerment, yountab scheme, shifting of raj niwas. The Chief Secretary said that 3200 non-gazetted posts have been recruited successfully.
He further said that administration is committed to recruit other gazetted posts soon, stating that challenges which impede the process of recruitment have been addressed.
On being asked about the poaching incident, he said that police have taken the cognisance and the accused has been booked as per law.
The session concluded with the Chief Secretary reiterating the commitment of the UT Ladakh administration to achieving balanced, inclusive, and sustainable development in all the sectors.
