Author: The Dispatch Staff
Following Centre’s decision, L-G VK Saxena approves notification for creation of LAHDCs for all 7 districts in LadakhMove paves way for elected local self-governance in 5 new districts – Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass Leh, September 3: The Central Government’s historic decision for creation of new Autonomous Hill Development Councils in all 7 districts of Ladakh reached its culmination today, with Lieutenant Governor, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, approving the notification for creation of 7 LAHDCs. The Centre, on 13 July 2026, had announced the creation of new LAHDCs in the UT of Ladakh.The Lieutenant Governor thanked Hon’ble Prime Minister…
Sham, Ladakh, August 27, 2026: District Police Sham, under the supervision of SSP Sham Malik Aijaz, JKPS, in collaboration with the Civil Administration Sham, conducted drug awareness programmes at Domkhar Gongma and Domkhar Dho to sensitise local communities about the growing threat of substance abuse.At Domkhar Gongma, Inspector Tsewang Norboo, SHO Police Station Khaltsi, along with Stanzin Diskit, CHO, and Lobzang Chorol, ANM, briefed participants on the harmful physical and social consequences of drug abuse. The importance of timely counselling, medical assistance and community support was also emphasised.A similar awareness programme was held at Domkhar Dho, where Inspector Tsewang Norboo,…
Nubra, August 27, 2026: Deputy Commissioner, Nubra, Mukul Beniwal, IAS, completed the Self Enumeration process under the upcoming Population Census 2026, urging residents of the district to actively participate in the national exercise.The Deputy Commissioner’s participation was aimed at conveying a message of public cooperation and active involvement, encouraging people across Nubra to complete the Self Enumeration process and contribute to the successful conduct of the Census.The Population Census 2026 is scheduled to be conducted from September 1 to September 30, 2026. The Census is a crucial national exercise that generates essential demographic data used for policy formulation, development planning,…
Nubra, August 27, 2026: Deputy Commissioner, Nubra, Mukul Beniwal, IAS, convened a review meeting with officials of the Health Department to assess the implementation and progress of major health schemes and programmes in the district.During the meeting, BMO Nubra Dr. Stanzin Phantok presented an overview of various health initiatives being implemented in the district, including PM-JAY, ABHA, JSY & JSSK, UIP, NTEP, RBSK and RKSK, besides digital healthcare services such as e-Sanjeevani and telemedicine.The BMO briefed the Deputy Commissioner on beneficiary coverage under different schemes, admissions facilitated through the programmes and claims submitted. He also presented details regarding patients screened,…
Kargil, August 27, 2026: A delegation from Sodh Block, comprising Nambardars, Village Committee members and prominent residents, met Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd. Jaffer Akhoon, on Wednesday and submitted a detailed representation seeking the creation of Sodh as a separate Sub-Division.The delegation described the demand as a long-pending requirement, citing the region’s vast geographical spread, difficult terrain, remoteness and limited connectivity as major challenges in accessing administrative offices and essential government services.According to the representation, Sodh Block comprises around 10 Panchayats, nearly 30 Mohallas and several villages, with an estimated population of about 18,000 people.…
Suru, August 27, 2026: The scenic Suru Valley came alive with sporting energy as a Mountain Biking Challenge was organised at Damsna as part of the ongoing Suru Summer Fest, bringing together cycling enthusiasts, youth and local residents.The challenge was flagged off by Joint Director Information/Deputy Director Tourism Mohd Taqi, JKAS, from Damsna. A large number of cycling enthusiasts participated in the event, while local youth and members of the public gathered along the route to cheer the participants and witness the sporting spectacle.The cycling event was organised with the aim of promoting adventure tourism, healthy lifestyles and greater community…
Padum, Zanskar, August 27, 2026: An awareness workshop on the Gems of India Challenge was held at Dak Bungalow, Padum, on Wednesday to encourage aspiring and emerging content creators from Zanskar to participate in the national-level initiative.The workshop was led by Rajeev Kumar Dubey and Aditya Kumar Singh, Programme Officers, WAVES OTT and Nodal Officers for the Gems of India Challenge in Ladakh UT.During the interactive session, the resource persons briefed participants about the objectives, participation process and opportunities associated with the challenge. They encouraged local creators to come forward and use the platform to showcase the distinctive stories, culture,…
CEC Jaffer Akhoon reviews preparations at Damsna; orders completion of all pending works by August 25Kargil, August 22: With the Suru Valley Festival 2026 set to begin on August 26, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, on Saturday inspected the festival venue at Damsna and reviewed preparations for the major tourism and cultural event.Dr. Akhoon took stock of arrangements for adventure and mountain activities, cultural programmes, theatre, exhibitions and stalls, besides power supply, backup systems, lighting, public amenities, cleanliness, safety and other logistical requirements.Officials from the concerned departments briefed the CEC about the progress of…
Reviews Oma Dairy, apricot & sea buckthorn processing and rural infrastructure; calls for stronger farmer-market linkagesLeh, August 22: Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Saturday undertook an extensive field review of key development projects in Leh, putting the spotlight on local livelihoods, value addition of Ladakh’s produce, scientific waste management and improved rural infrastructure.Kundra inspected the Ladakh Oma Dairy Plant, where he reviewed milk processing as well as facilities for value addition of locally produced apricot and sea buckthorn. He sought details about processing capacity, quality standards, farmer linkages and returns reaching local producers.Calling for stronger farmer-to-market connectivity, Kundra stressed improving…
Job-oriented courses, career counselling, emerging disciplines and stronger academia-industry pathways in focusLeh, August 22: Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra has called for building a future-ready and opportunity-driven higher education ecosystem in Ladakh, with greater emphasis on employment-oriented courses, emerging disciplines, career counselling and stronger academic collaboration.Chairing a review of the higher education sector and follow-up action on the Ladakh Education Conclave 2024, Kundra stressed that academic programmes should evolve in line with students’ aspirations, changing professional requirements and Ladakh’s distinctive strengths.He called for assessing undergraduate and postgraduate courses on the basis of demand, relevance and employment potential, while exploring greater academic…
Free health camps under Rishi Kashyap Swasthya Seva Yatra to provide check-ups, medicines and preventive healthcare awarenessLeh, August 22: Chief Secretary of Ladakh Ashish Kundra on Saturday inaugurated a free medical camp at BVN School, Choglamsar, marking another phase of the Rishi Kashyap Swasthya Seva Yatra aimed at taking healthcare services to remote and far-flung areas of the Union Territory.The medical outreach is being organised by the National Medicos Organisation (NMO) in collaboration with Ladakh Phanday Tsogspa, with support from Sewa Bharti Gujarat. Around 20 members of the medical team have been divided into groups that will travel to different…
Leh, August 17: The countdown to the 13th edition of the Ladakh Marathon has begun, with Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena unveiling the official jersey for one of the world’s highest-altitude endurance sporting events.This year’s edition is set to be the biggest yet, with the prize pool increased to ₹1 crore and registrations touching a record nearly 10,000 runners, a significant jump from 6,521 participants last year.The growing participation, including athletes and running enthusiasts from India and abroad, reflects the Ladakh Marathon’s rising profile on the global endurance-sports calendar.Speaking on the occasion, LG Saxena said the Marathon is not merely…
Kargil, August 17: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, welcomed the newly posted Director, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) and Executive Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC), Kargil, and called for close coordination to strengthen public service delivery in the district.Executive Councillors Altaf Hussain and Er. Ponckuk Tashi were also present on the occasion.Welcoming the officers, Dr. Akhoon expressed hope that their experience and commitment would contribute towards improving public services and accelerating developmental works across Kargil.The CEC emphasised close coordination between government departments and LAHDC Kargil, particularly for the timely resolution of…
Leh, August 17: In a significant step towards paperless and transparent government financial management, a two-day training programme on the introduction of the e-Bill System under the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) commenced in Leh.The programme has been organised by the Finance Department, UT Ladakh, in collaboration with the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance, for Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) and dealing hands of Leh district.Senior Finance Department officials, Chief Controlling Drawing and Disbursing Officers (CCDDOs), DDOs and dealing assistants from various departments participated in the training.The programme aims to familiarise officials with the new digital e-Bill…
Leh, August 17: Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the proposed implementation of Reform Utsav across the Union Territory, with a focus on public participation, awareness and coordinated stakeholder engagement.During the meeting, Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development & Monitoring Department (PD&MD), Himanshu Gupta, gave a detailed presentation on the phase-wise rollout of the initiative, covering the proposed portal, governance framework, UT-level sensitisation, proposed UT-level function and key deliverables.A major focus of the discussions was the awareness campaign scheduled to begin from September 11. Officials discussed extensive media outreach, institutional and stakeholder channels, as…
Leh, August 17: In a major push towards financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and self-employment in Ladakh, the Sindhu Infrastructure Development Corporation (SIDCO) has signed an additional ₹20 crore Government Revolving Guarantee with the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC).The agreement was signed at the UT Secretariat, Leh, by Administrative Secretary Himanshu Gupta, Managing Director, SIDCO Ladakh, in the presence of NMDFC Chairman-cum-Managing Director Abha Rani Singh, IRS, along with senior officials of NMDFC, SIDCO and the UT Administration.The additional ₹20 crore guarantee will allow SIDCO to further expand NMDFC-sponsored financial assistance schemes in Ladakh. Eligible beneficiaries from minority communities will…
Kargil, August 17: Government Degree College (GDC) Kargil organised an interactive faculty meeting aimed at strengthening teaching-learning practices, introducing innovative methodologies and improving the overall academic environment of the institution.Held at the College Seminar Hall, the meeting was attended by Principal Dr. Amjad Ali Abassi, Senior Professor Dr. Ishaq and faculty members.Discussions focused on adopting modern and effective teaching methods, enhancing the professional skills of faculty members and exploring measures to increase student admissions. Faculty members actively shared suggestions on improving the quality of education and making classroom teaching more responsive to the evolving needs of students and society.During the…
Zanskar, August 17: The Department of Hindi, Government Degree College (GDC) Zanskar, presented a poignant short play depicting the horrors of Partition and the suffering of countless families forced to abandon their homes and migrate to India.Organised as part of the Independence Day celebrations, the programme was held under the supervision of Principal Dr. Amjad Ali Abassi and coordinated by the Department of Hindi.Through an emotionally charged performance, students portrayed the trauma of displacement, showing families leaving behind their homes, land, possessions and loved ones and arriving in India amid grief, fear and uncertainty.The play also highlighted the resilience and…
Leh, August 17: Ladakh marked the grand culmination of the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026 with a vibrant patriotic programme at the iconic Sindhu Ghat in Leh, where around 1,200 young participants came together to celebrate the spirit of the Tricolour, national unity and patriotism.Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism, UT Ladakh, the programme brought together school and college students, specially-abled children, teachers and officials against the picturesque backdrop of the Indus River.The celebration featured patriotic songs, the National Song and the National Anthem, creating an atmosphere filled with national pride. The Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture and…
75 publishers showcase books in multiple languages; LG says festival will bridge Ladakh’s knowledge traditions with wider worldLeh, Aug 14: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday inaugurated the nine-day Ladakh Book Festival 2026, describing it as an important platform to strengthen the culture of reading and connect Ladakh’s rich intellectual and cultural heritage with contemporary India and the wider world.The festival, jointly organised by the National Book Trust, Ladakh Administration and the Indian Army, brings together books, literature, authors, publishers and diverse literary traditions from across the country and beyond.With 75 publishers participating, the festival features books…