Author: The Dispatch Staff

Leh: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson chaired two key review meetings on Thursday—one focused on digital infrastructure in Ladakh, and the other on pressing human resource concerns in the Health Department. In the first meeting, CEC Tashi Gyalson convened a high-level review of BSNL’s ongoing 4G Saturation Project and the BharatNet initiative aimed at strengthening digital connectivity in remote areas of the Union Territory. Officials from BSNL, including Senior General Manager Phuntsog Dorjey, AGM Tsering Angchuk, and 4G Nodal Officer Phuntsog Dorjey, briefed the CEC on the status of sanctioned tower sites, land allotment, and site-specific…

Leh: Chief Planning Officer (CPO) Leh, Tsewang Gyalson, convened a key review meeting to assess the status of developmental works under the District Capex Budget 2025–26 and directed all departments to utilize the allocated budget against work done by the end of July. He also instructed them to submit all associated bills and project any additional fund requirements by the end of August. The meeting focused on ensuring timely completion of pending projects and fostering better coordination among executing departments. CPO Leh emphasized that the pace of work must be expedited and operational bottlenecks removed through stronger inter-departmental collaboration. Departments…

Leh: In preparation for the upcoming Kargil Vijay Diwas commemoration, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC Leh, Romil Singh Donk, chaired a crucial coordination meeting to review and streamline arrangements for the event scheduled on July 26 at 9:00 AM at Singge Namgyal Chowk. The Deputy Commissioner issued clear instructions to the concerned departments to ensure that all preparations are completed well in time, emphasizing the significance of the occasion in honouring the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers during the 1999 Kargil War. Key aspects discussed during the meeting included venue readiness, seating and sofa arrangements, carpet layout, decoration, and…

Kargil: In a significant step towards strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in Ladakh, Dr. Tashi Thinles, Director of Health and Medical Education, UT Ladakh, conducted a comprehensive review and physical verification of health projects worth ₹129.67 crore currently underway at District Hospital Kargil (Kurbathang). These projects are being executed under the Special Development Package (SDP) to enhance medical facilities in the region. Accompanied by the Section Officer (Administration) and Statistical Officer (Planning), Dr. Thinles inspected ongoing construction works, including the additional hospital block and new staff quarters. He stressed the importance of adhering to quality standards and ensuring timely completion so…

Kargil: After Leh, the district of Kargil is set to begin the revision of the Panchayat Electoral Rolls starting 21st July 2025. The move comes under the direction of the Union Territory Administration of Ladakh, following communication from the Election Commission for Union Territories. The Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Kargil, who is also the Electoral Registration Officer, has issued instructions to all Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (Block Development Officers) to make necessary preparations for the electoral roll revision. The schedule, provided by the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, outlines the process of additions, deletions, corrections, and transpositions of voter information.…

Leh: Food Safety on Wheels, a key initiative by the Food Safety, Drugs, and Food Control Administration of UT Ladakh, reached Government Degree College (GDC) Drass, where students received practical training in detecting food adulterants. The awareness and testing programme was aimed at sensitizing students and faculty about food safety, common adulterants, and simple home-based testing methods for safer food practices. The expert team—Gazanfar Ali (FSO, Drass), Shahnaz Zarah (FSO, Kargil), Shamsiya Khatoon (FSO, Chiktan), and Humaira Yasmeen (Food Analyst, UT Ladakh)—led the sessions. The event began with a welcome note by Mir Ishfaq, followed by a detailed briefing from…

Leh: The much-anticipated visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Zanskar has been postponed by a day due to unfavourable weather conditions. https://youtu.be/3eWnbjuDy3s The spiritual leader was scheduled to arrive today, but dense cloud cover and safety concerns forced organizers to reschedule the program. Padang Lhawang, President of the Zanskar Buddhist Association, confirmed the postponement and informed that the visit will now take place tomorrow, July 20, at the same scheduled time in the morning. “All preparations had been made, and devotees had gathered early in the morning. However, due to the weather, the event had to be…

Kargil: A high-level review meeting was held today at the Conference Hall in Baroo following the visit of a delegation from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), New Delhi, to assess and enhance disaster preparedness mechanisms in the district. The NDMA team comprised Lieutenant Colonel Sanjeev Kumar Shahi, Joint Advisor (Operations), and Ranjan Kumar Bora, Senior Consultant, International Cooperation, CBT Division. They were welcomed by Additional Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Kargil, Imteeaz Kacho, along with district officers from key departments. The meeting brought together senior officials including the Chief Medical Officer, Assistant Commissioner…

Leh: Newly appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, sought the blessings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama shortly after taking the oath of office. The meeting took place at the residence of His Holiness in Leh, where LG Gupta expressed deep respect for the spiritual leader and acknowledged the Dalai Lama’s enduring contribution to peace, compassion, and cultural preservation in the Himalayan region. The interaction was marked by warmth and spiritual significance, symbolizing Gupta’s commitment to serve Ladakh with integrity, inclusivity, and wisdom. This visit is being seen as a positive and symbolic step, reflecting the new LG’s…

Leh: CEC Tashi Gyalson said that His Holiness  Sakya Trichen Rinpochey’s  visit holds deep meaning for the people of Ladakh and called upon all departments to work together to ensure everything runs smoothly, respectfully, and in a well-organised manner. With this message, the Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Leh chaired a high-level review meeting in Leh to assess preparations for the upcoming visit of the 42nd Sakya Trichen Rinpochey. Joined by Executive Councillor for Art & Culture, Stanzin Chosphel, the meeting saw participation from senior officials including SE PWD Dorjey Gyatso, ACD Ghulam Mohd., CMO Dolma Chuskit, Addl.…

Leh: In a significant step toward strengthening grassroots democracy in Ladakh, the District Panchayat Officer (DPO), Leh, has officially announced the commencement of the electoral roll revision process for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the district. The revision will be conducted from July 21 to September 15, 2025, in accordance with directives issued by the Administrative Secretary of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, UT Ladakh. In a communiqué addressed to Tehsildars and Block Development Officers (designated as Assistant Electoral Registration Officers or AEROs), the DPO has directed all concerned officials to begin necessary preparations and ensure the smooth execution of…

Kargil: To commemorate the legendary Battle of Jubar Ridge — one of the fiercest confrontations of the Kargil War — the Indian Army hosted a moving and memorable ‘Human Library’ event. Instead of books, this library told stories through its living heroes — war veterans, soldiers, and locals who lived the conflict firsthand. Among them stood Colonel Ajay Rai (then Captain), whose voice trembled slightly as he revisited those defining days — leading men through treacherous terrain under enemy fire, reclaiming a ridge that would become a symbol of Indian resilience. Other veterans joined him, recounting their own trials, brotherhood,…

Leh: Member of Parliament and BJP Himachal Pradesh General Secretary, Prof (Dr) Sikander Kumar, visited Leh today, engaging with party leadership and expressing strong support for grassroots entrepreneurship and local artisanship. During his visit, Prof Kumar met with newly appointed BJP Ladakh State President Tashi Khachi at the State BJP Office. #VocalForLocal !! Visited local handicrafts shops and handloom products by Self Help Groups (SHG) and Local Entrepreneurs in Leh, Ladakh. Interacted with artisans and local entrepreneurs showcasing traditional crafts, handloom textiles and,,, 1/2 pic.twitter.com/lXAnqkRleL — Prof (Dr) Sikander Kumar (@SikanderBJP) July 18, 2025 He congratulated Khachi on assuming charge…

Leh: The inaugural Sham Festival came to a colorful close after two days of immersive cultural experiences that brought together local communities, visitors, and tourists in the heart of Ladakh’s Sham region. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the villages of Tia and Tingmosgang, the festival showcased the region’s deep spiritual roots and vibrant heritage. Day 2 began with a peaceful prayer session and meditation at the awe-inspiring 97-foot statue of Jambeyang (Manjushree) in Tia — the tallest of its kind. From there, visitors embarked on the Tongtum Heritage Walk, winding through ancient Ladakhi homes where stories were passed down…

Leh:  In a proud moment for Ladakh, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson, felicitated a team of young mountaineers who recently scaled Mount Everest. The team was led by Subedar Tashi Stanba, a seasoned climber who has summited Everest twice before. Among the team members were Padma Namgyal, recognized as the youngest male Everester from Ladakh, and Abida Afreen, who made history as the first Muslim girl from the region to reach the world’s highest peak. Their achievement has been widely celebrated across Ladakh for breaking barriers and setting new records. CEC Gyalson interacted with the…

Zanskar: With anticipation building around the upcoming visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Zanskar, the administration of Kargil has initiated a series of preparatory measures to ensure the event proceeds with dignity, security, and seamless coordination. Deputy Commissioner and CEO of LAHDC Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, accompanied by SSP Kargil Ram R, conducted a detailed review of the logistical and security arrangements in place for the visit. The joint team inspected key locations including the helipad, Duzin Photang, and the New Photang at Karsha, where public engagements with His Holiness are expected to take place. During the inspection,…

Kargil: The Union Territory of Ladakh marked a significant step in advancing women-led farm-based livelihoods with the successful completion of a four-day residential orientation-cum-training programme on the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana – Implementation Framework for Convergence (MKSP-IFC). The initiative, conducted under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), was held from July 14 to 17 in Kargil district. The training brought together Human Resource teams working under MKSP, active Self Help Group (SHG) members, and key functionaries from the District, Block, and State-level Mission Management Units (DMMU, BMMU, and SMMU) from both Leh and Kargil districts. Organized…

Kargil: On the fifth day of his public outreach initiative, Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Hanifa Jan, undertook a detailed developmental tour of several villages in the Taisuru region and adjoining parts of the second constituency in Suru Valley. He was accompanied by Taisuru Councillor Abdul Hadi and former Councillor Syed Abass, with the tour in the second constituency coordinated by Area Councillor Aga Ainul Huda. During the visit, the MP interacted with residents and public representatives across a wide range of villages including Karpokhar, Rgyaling, Purtikchay, Biama, Damsna, Youljuk, Maita, Kargee, Prantee, Choskore, and Panikhar. The second part of…

Leh:  Meera Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Reproductive and Child Health) at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, concluded a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh from July 13 to 15, aimed at reviewing the implementation of key national health programmes in the region. Over the course of her visit, Srivastava chaired a series of high-level meetings with senior health officials including the Mission Director of NHM Ladakh, Bhanu Prabha, the Director of Health Services, Chief Medical Officers from both Leh and Kargil, along with nodal officers for immunization, RCH, non-communicable diseases, and other district-level programme…

LEH: A high-level meeting on disaster management and mitigation was convened today at the DC Office Conference Hall in Leh, bringing together key officials from the administration, armed forces, police, NDMA, DDMA, IMD, and other departments. The meeting aimed to review existing preparedness, enhance inter-agency coordination, and strengthen Leh’s disaster response framework. The meeting was chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner Leh, Ghulam Mohd (JKAS), in collaboration with Lt. Col. Sanjive Kumar, Joint Advisor of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and Rajan Kumar, Senior Consultant with NDMA. Addressing the gathering, Ghulam Mohd highlighted the urgent need to establish a dedicated…