Author: The Dispatch Staff

Kargil : Executive Councillor for RDD/PRI and Zanskar Development Authority, Er Punchok Tashi, visited Barden Monastery in Zanskar to conduct a final site inspection ahead of the tendering process for a newly approved conservation and amenities development project. Accompanied by the Head Lama of Barden Gonpa and engineers from R&B and ZDA, EC Tashi reviewed the site plan prepared by D’Himalayan Architect. The ₹2.49 crore project, sanctioned under Zanskar Development Authority for 2025–26, includes similar works for Phuktal Monastery. The monks of Barden Monastery urged the inclusion of key renovation works and requested early commencement. EC Tashi directed officials to…

Kargil : Government Degree College Drass came alive with patriotic fervour as students and staff joined the nationwide ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign. The initiative, aimed at fostering respect for the National Flag, saw a morning assembly gathering where participants pledged to hoist the Tiranga with pride from August 13–15. Coordinated by Assistant Professor Sajad Hussain, NSS/NCC Officer, under the guidance of Principal Nasirul Mehdi Shabani, the event also featured an awareness session on the flag’s significance. The celebrations reflected the college’s collective spirit in honouring India’s unity, integrity, and freedom.

KULGAM, Aug 8: The Rural Development Department has suspended the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Devsar, Kulgam, for allegedly signing blank work authorities under MGNREGA in violation of established guidelines and government conduct rules.” According to an official order, MGNREGA guidelines mandate that work authorities must be issued only prior to the commencement of works by the Gram Panchayat. However, it has been reported that BDO Devsar bypassed these procedures by signing blank work authorities, raising serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and potential financial irregularities. “In view of the above and pending enquiry, Mr. Arif Ayaz Dar, BDO Devsar with…

Jammu, Aug 8: Two young men lost their lives on the spot after a motorcycle collided with a load carrier (camper) on the Bani–Basohli road near Sandhar village, close to Mohan Tea Stall, on Friday morning. Official sources said that the bike carrying two persons rammed into the load carrier under mysterious circumstances, resulting in their immediate death. The deceased have been identified as Shahbaz, son of Abass, and Rohit, son of Rashpal, both residents of village Bhoond in the Bani area, they said. Cognizance of the incident has been taken and Further investigation started.

Srinagar:  Amidst the ongoing anti-terror operation in Kulgam, which entered its seventh day on Thursday, locals from the Akhal village have called for their relocation from the area, citing severe hardships. The residents claimed they were unable to sleep due to the relentless firing and were now running out of food as well. “We have been facing severe difficulties for the past seven days. Firing and bombs go on during the night. There is a shortage of ration in our homes now,” Mubarak Khanday, a villager living close to the encounter site, said. Emphasising that the women and children in…

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir should become a state again as soon as possible, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the National Tribal Festival in the frontier Gurez sector in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, Abdullah said it has been a long time since the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to restore J-K’s statehood “as soon as possible”. “When the court gave its ruling in the Article 370 case, there were two important aspects in that. One was related to (assembly) elections, that elections should be conducted within a timeframe. The court also…

Leh: Even as Ladakh MP Mohammad Haneefa Jan intensifies pressure on the Centre in Delhi for statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, LAHDC Leh Vice Chairman Tsering Angchuk has publicly raised concerns about the potential consequences of such a move. https://youtu.be/GHBDzxH7j4s?si=dnu0qGNI72uCaPhZ In a strongly worded social media post, Angchuk described the demand for statehood as emotionally appealing but warned that it could be practically disastrous for Ladakh. Citing the region’s limited internal revenue generation, he said that the burden of running a full-fledged state would fall directly on the people through taxation. He argued that with no large industries,…

Leh: Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Vipin Kumar has directed that the new terminal building and associated infrastructure at Leh Airport be completed by October 2025, calling the project a top priority in India’s high-altitude aviation network. Kumar, accompanied by AAI Member (Planning) Anil Kumar Gupta, inspected the airport on Thursday, reviewing the progress of ongoing works and interacting with officials and CISF personnel. He urged all stakeholders to accelerate construction to meet the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s targets for regional connectivity and passenger experience. “This project is a top priority for AAI, and we must ensure its timely…

Jammu: The Union Territory of Ladakh is likely to get back most—if not all—of the funds slashed in this year’s budget, with the Union Finance Ministry expected to restore the cut during the Revised Estimates, a reported said. The move will benefit both Leh and Kargil Hill Development Councils, whose capital expenditure plans were hit by the reduction. According to the report published in Daily Exceslior, the UT administration and the Chairpersons-cum-CECs of both Hill Councils have been pressing the Union Finance and Home Ministries to reverse the ₹1,266 crore cut announced in the 2025–26 budget. There are now “strong…

Leh: Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta has urged Ladakh’s youth to embrace local products—especially those with Geographical Indication (GI) tags—as a means of sustainable livelihood, saying such initiatives could benefit even the remotest communities in the Union Territory. Speaking at the inauguration of the week-long National Handloom Day 2025 celebrations at Leh’s Eco Park, the Lt Governor, accompanied by First Lady Bindu Gupta, said Ladakh’s rich heritage offers both cultural pride and economic opportunity. “ Ladakhi artisans are far ahead of others, and there is ample scope to progress further using our ancient culture and tradition as tools,” he said, lauding…

Leh: The Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC) has rolled out new regulatory guidelines for hotels, guesthouses, and industries in the Union Territory, aiming to ease compliance while ensuring environmental safeguards in the fragile Himalayan region. For the tourism sector, hotels and guesthouses with up to six rooms will now be exempt from seeking LPCC consent, provided they install functional septic tanks, avoid causing environmental nuisance, and submit a formal undertaking. Establishments with 7–19 rooms or restaurants seating up to 35 must obtain Consent to Establish and Operate, install septic tanks and oil traps, and meet effluent standards. They will also…

Leh: A joint team of officials led by SDM Khaltsi Mohd. Sharif inspected the proposed site for the Fotula Tunnel on Wednesday, covering both the Leh-side and Kargil-side portals. The visit, involving officers from R&B, PDD, Forest and Revenue departments, was aimed at assessing land identified for acquisition under the Land Acquisition Plan. The survey also examined proposed locations for muck dumping and camping facilities. It was conducted on the request of RITES—the DPR consultant—and the Border Roads Organisation’s 81 RCC, which will execute the project. Representatives from RITES and the Lambardar of Lamayuru village joined the inspection. Funded by…

Leh: Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Leh, Sonam Nurboo (JKAS), chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme at the Mini Conference Hall, DC Office Leh, on Wednesday. During the meeting, the ADDC directed all concerned departments to present detailed updates on the physical and financial progress of their ongoing projects under the scheme. Emphasizing timely execution, he instructed that all works must be completed within the next two months. He also directed departments to submit a thorough progress report ahead of the next review meeting and ensure that all Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are submitted to the…

Kargil: Executive Councillor for RDD, Panchayati Raj, Forest, ZDA, and Information, LAHDC Kargil, Er. Phunchok Tashi, inaugurated the newly constructed Anganwadi Centre building at Padum/Skidsherak in Zanskar today. The event was held in the presence of Sub Divisional Magistrate Zanskar, Mohd. Hassan. Constructed at an estimated cost of ₹65 lakh by the R&B Division Zanskar, the new centre aims to provide a safer and more child-friendly environment for early childhood care and education. The inauguration ceremony was attended by CDPO Tashi Gurmath, JE R&B, the executing contractor Ghulam Ahmed Wani, ICDS staff, and Anganwadi workers and helpers. During the event,…

Kargil: Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, attended the final match of the Ghadeer Premier League Cricket Tournament as Chief Guest at Khree Sultan Choo Stadium, Biamathang. The tournament, organised by Cricket Association Ghadeer Pishu, saw participation from 32 teams across the district, making it one of the biggest grassroots cricket events in Kargil. The final match ended in a thrilling finish, with Young Eagle Baroo defeating Valley Boys Suru by seven runs. Young Eagle Baroo set a competitive target of 224 runs, which the Valley Boys chased closely but ultimately fell short. Dr. Akhoon congratulated the…

Kargil: In view of the upcoming 78th Independence Day celebrations, SDM Drass, Vishal Atri, chaired a preparatory meeting at the Dak Bungalow, Drass, with officials from various departments of the subdivision. The SDM reviewed department-wise responsibilities and issued directions for ensuring smooth conduct of the celebrations, following past practices. Suggestions such as felicitating school toppers and frontline workers from key departments were also discussed. He urged all officials to participate in the celebrations with full enthusiasm and ensure all necessary arrangements are in place for a successful and dignified Independence Day event.

Kargil | August 7, 2025 Bringing justice closer to the people, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Srinagar Bench successfully concluded a three-day long Circuit Sitting at the Tourist Facilitation Centre in Baroo, Kargil. The special session, aimed at addressing service matters locally, marked a significant step toward improving access to judicial redressal for government employees and pensioners in the remote district. The Division Bench, comprising Hon’ble Mr. D.S. Mahra (Judicial Member and HoD) and Hon’ble Mr. Prasant Kumar (Administrative Member), conducted hearings in hybrid mode — accommodating both physical and virtual appearances to maximize accessibility. Of the 68 cases listed…

Leh: In a remarkable feat of engineering and resilience, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is close to creating India’s first geothermal power generation facility in Ladakh’s cold desert. #India is close to creating a geothermal based electricity power generation in the heart of Ladakh’s cold desert, at a staggering altitude of 14,000 ft. #ONGC is nearing completion of a well in the Puga Valley, marking a giant leap toward India’s first geothermal power… pic.twitter.com/GsB5eUyWsy — Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) (@ONGC_) August 6, 2025 Drilling is nearing completion at an altitude of 14,000 feet in Puga…

Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, held a series of high-level review meetings at the LG Secretariat in Leh on Wednesday, assessing the functioning and progress of several crucial departments. In a comprehensive exercise aimed at streamlining governance and improving service delivery, the LG chaired separate sessions with officials from the Power Development Department, the Department of Youth Services and Sports, and the Department of Information and Public Relations. Secretary Vikram Singh Malik, IAS, and other senior officers were present during the discussions. Later, the LG also took stock of the performance of the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department,…

Kargil;  The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Wednesday announced a three-day hunger strike here from August 9 alleging delay by the Centre in holding the next round of talks concerning the demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule for the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh. https://youtu.be/29OoF_6oTd4?si=oqxIhkWSHgSyBohZ The strike will begin coming Saturday in Kargil town and the leaders of Leh Apex Body (LAB) have also been requested to join the protest and send a message to the central government that the people of Ladakh will not stay silent on their “genuine” demands, KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai told reporters here. KDA,…