Author: The Dispatch Staff

KARGIL, September 3: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena visited the historic Heritage Village of Hunderman near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kargil and reviewed ongoing efforts to develop it as a major border and heritage tourism destination. During the visit, the LG emphasised the unique potential of Hunderman, citing its strategic location, rich history and distinctive heritage. He said the village should be made more accessible to visitors and positioned prominently on Ladakh’s tourism map. Shri Saxena reviewed the ongoing “Exploring LOC and Hunderman Village Experience” project, which includes a LoC viewpoint, parking area, integrated amenity…

Leh: The Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh on Monday posted Fulzele Piyush Nirakar, IPS (AGMUT:2015) as the new SSP, District Leh, with immediate effect. As per Order No. 75-Home of 2026 issued by the Ladakh Home Department, Fulzele has been relieved of his charge as SSP, Security & Police Telecommunication, and directed to take over as SSP, District Leh from the outgoing incumbent. Shree Raam Raghavan, IPS (AGMUT:2019), who was serving as SSP, District Leh, has been relieved of his duties in the UT Administration with effect from August 31, 2026 (A/N). He has been directed to report…

By Bharat Nanda There are days when seemingly separate developments come together to tell a larger story. Thursday was one such day for Ladakh. In New Delhi, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the progress of key developmental initiatives, infrastructure projects and the implementation of Central welfare schemes in the Union Territory. Back in Ladakh, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra placed before the people a wide-ranging account of measures concerning recruitment, land reforms, tourism, administrative decentralisation and the region’s evolving democratic architecture. The timing was significant. At one end was Ladakh’s Lieutenant…

Leh: BJP Ladakh State President Tashi Gyaltson Khachu on behalf of BJP Ladakh has welcomed the UT Administration of Ladakh’s decision to reclassify Hotels, Guest Houses, Resorts and Homestays from the Commercial (Hotel/Resort) category to the Industrial category for electricity tariff purposes. He thanked the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and the UT Administration for this important pro-tourism decision, which will reduce the electricity cost burden on the hospitality sector from September 1, 2026. Khachu also congratulated the people of Ladakh and the tourism fraternity, saying the decision will provide much-needed support to tourism establishments, strengthen the local economy and create a…

Leh: In a first in the country, Ladakh has introduced a fixed 4% horizontal reservation for Outstanding Sportspersons in direct recruitment to Group ‘C’ non-gazetted government posts. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the reservation under the Ladakh Sports Policy, 2026, making Ladakh the first Union Territory to provide a specified 4% reservation for sportspersons in government jobs. The Ladakh Administration has subsequently notified the Union Territory of Ladakh Outstanding Sportspersons (Horizontal Reservation in Direct Recruitment to Group ‘C’ Non-Gazetted Posts) Rules, 2026, laying down the eligibility and selection framework. The reservation will cover sportspersons who have represented a State…

Leh: Administrative Secretary, PWD/R&B, UT Ladakh, Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary, today chaired separate review meetings to assess the progress of major infrastructure projects being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Public Works Department (PWD) and Central Public Works Department (CPWD) across Ladakh. The meetings focused on physical and financial progress, pending works, land acquisition, clearances, fund utilisation, liabilities, completion timelines and field-level bottlenecks. Reviewing BRO projects, the Administrative Secretary directed the concerned officers to expedite ongoing works, ensure timely processing of DPRs, land acquisition and wildlife clearance proposals, and reconcile all financial figures before submitting proposals. He stressed that avoidable delays…

Leh, August 14: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, in his Independence Day message, extended his greetings to the people of Ladakh and the country, paying tribute to the freedom fighters, armed forces and security personnel who made sacrifices in the service of the nation. Saxena said Independence Day was not only an occasion to celebrate freedom but also an opportunity to reaffirm India’s commitment to unity, strength and development. He said India’s resolve was to become a developed nation and the world’s second-largest economy by 2047, stressing the need to ensure that welfare schemes reach the most vulnerable sections while…

Leh: More than 2,950 free-ranging dogs (FRDs) have been sterilised in Ladakh as part of a conservation effort to protect the region’s Black-necked Cranes (BNCs), whose breeding grounds are increasingly facing pressure from stray dog populations, habitat disturbance and growing human activity. The initiative, led by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in collaboration with the Indian Army, Animal Husbandry Department and Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment, has been underway since 2022 in areas frequented by the endangered alpine bird. Free-ranging dogs have been reported to prey on BNC eggs and chicks and disturb nesting birds, affecting their breeding…

Jammu, Aug 13: Two earthquakes of moderate magnitude jolted the Union Territory of Ladakh within a span of nearly four hours on Thursday, triggering fear among residents. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the first and stronger tremor, measuring 5.5 magnitude, struck at 6.05 am, with its epicentre located at a latitude of 36.88 degrees north and longitude of 74.402 degrees east. It occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres in Ladakh’s Leh, it said. Another earthquake of 4.3 magnitude occurred at 9.54 am, at latitude 36.76 degrees north and longitude of 75.326 degrees east, also at a…

Leh, Aug 7: In view of the recent spate of landslides and rockfalls that have caused widespread damage in villages and disrupted traffic on major roads, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Brig. (Dr.) B.D. Mishra (Retd.) on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials of the Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the Union Territory Administration to assess disaster preparedness and immediate preventive measures. Chaired a high-level review meeting with the Army, BRO, and UT Administration on disaster preparedness and immediate preventive measures, in wake of frequent landslides and rockfalls in Ladakh in recent days which has caused large…

Leh: Ladakh Police has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a fair, transparent and technology-driven recruitment process for 40 Sub-Inspector posts, with a total of 7,028 candidates applying from across the Union Territory. According to the Ladakh Police Subordinate Service Recruitment Board, the recruitment process incorporates advanced technology and multiple verification mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability. These include biometric verification, digital height and chest measurements, RFID chip-based timing for endurance races, and comprehensive CCTV surveillance at every stage of the recruitment process. An Independent Observer nominated by the General Administration Department (GAD), Ladakh, is also overseeing the proceedings at the…

Leh, August 5: The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Ladakh has seized 12.46 grams of heroin from a vehicle during a drug interception operation at NH-3, Kharu, and arrested three persons in connection with the case. Officials said the ANTF team intercepted a Bolero vehicle at Kharu, where a search led to the recovery of heroin. The seized contraband weighed 12.46 grams. The arrested individuals have been identified as Stanzin Gendun, Kamal, and Sonam Gyaltson. A case under FIR No. 10/2026 under Sections 8/21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered, and further investigation has been…

Leh: Seven years after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A), leaders on Wednesday highlighted the transformation journey of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, underlining progress in infrastructure, governance, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and empowerment of marginalised communities. On the occasion of Ladakh Union Territory Declaration Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that August 5, 2019, marked a “decisive new chapter” in the history of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, with the full application of the Constitution of India bringing new opportunities and rights to people who had been deprived of them for decades. In a post on X, the…

By Sindhiya Gupta The Union Territory of Ladakh is passing through one of the most significant administrative and political transformations in its modern history. Since becoming a Union Territory in October 2019, Ladakh has witnessed a series of reforms intended to improve governance, accelerate development and bring public services closer to people living across one of India’s most geographically challenging regions. The latest proposal to establish Autonomous Hill Development Councils in all seven districts of Ladakh is not merely another administrative measure. It is a landmark step towards institutionalising democratic decentralisation and ensuring that every region receives equal opportunities for…

Leh: In a major move towards democratic decentralisation, the Ladakh administration has announced that Autonomous Hill Development Councils will be established in all seven districts of the Union Territory. Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said the decision had been taken in response to demands from regions including Sham, Nubra, Zanskar, Dras and Changthang for greater local representation and administrative empowerment. https://youtu.be/yuZccsdKC9s?si=S2qCqR9iOggJqxPP He said Section 3(1) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act provides for the establishment of an autonomous council in every district. Necessary legal amendments and delimitation of constituencies will now be undertaken to extend the council system across…

Leh: In a first-of-its-kind enforcement drive in Ladakh, the administration has imposed hefty penalties on tourists for illegal off-roading in ecologically sensitive and protected wildlife areas, signalling a tougher stance against environmental violations in the Union Territory. Acting on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Wildlife Department of Ladakh has initiated prosecution and imposed a total penalty of ₹2 lakh on four vehicle owners found violating provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Each offender was fined ₹50,000 after being found driving vehicles inside protected wildlife zones and environmentally sensitive areas, including the shores and waters of…

Leh, June 23: Senior IPS officer Anand Jain on Tuesday officially assumed charge as the Director General of Police (DGP) of the Union Territory of Ladakh, taking over the leadership of the region’s police force following his appointment by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). A 1999-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the AGMUT cadre, Jain has been transferred from Jammu and Kashmir, where he was serving as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Armed Police. His appointment was announced by the MHA on June 22 and comes into effect immediately. With his joining, Ladakh now gets a full-time…

Leh/Kargil: Expressions of grief poured in from across Ladakh following the sudden and untimely demise of Inspector Mehraj Khalid Giri, with political leaders paying tribute to his service and extending condolences to the bereaved family. Hon’ble Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the police officer and described him as a dedicated officer who served with commitment and honour. Dr. Akhoon conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, especially to his sister Nomo Bilques, and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul. He also prayed for strength and…

Leh: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday posted senior IPS officer Anand Jain as Director General of Police (DGP), Ladakh, with immediate effect. According to an order issued by the MHA as per news agency—Indus Dispatch, Anand Jain, a 1999-batch AGMUT cadre IPS officer, has been transferred from Jammu and Kashmir to Ladakh and will serve as the DGP of the Union Territory until further orders. Jain was serving in Jammu and Kashmir Police and has held several key assignments in the Union Territory, including postings as IGP Jammu Zone, Director Anti-Corruption Bureau and ADGP Armed.

Leh: Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday inaugurated a newly created water body under Project Him Sarovar at Spituk Pharka here, paving the way for the commencement of agricultural activities in the region after ages, an official said. This is the first of the four water bodies being created at the site under Project Him Sarovar. Another three water bodies are nearing completion and will be operationalised soon, a spokesperson of the Lok Bhavan said. Saxena, immediately upon assuming charge as LG Ladakh on March 13, had adopted a mission-mode approach to address Ladakh’s water scarcity challenges and…