Author: The Dispatch Staff
Nubra, July 30: The Department of Tourism, UT Ladakh, registered 46 tourist units during a special registration camp held in Nubra Valley under the newly notified Ladakh Tourist Unit Unified Registration Order, 2026, marking a major step towards streamlining the region’s tourism sector.The camp, organised at the SDM Office in Diskit, enabled hotels, homestays and travel agencies to complete on-the-spot registration with assistance from tourism officials. The initiative received a positive response from stakeholders across Nubra, who welcomed the department’s effort to simplify the registration process.Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra also interacted with tourism stakeholders during the visit and stressed the…
Leh, July 31: Chief Secretary of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, reviewed the proposed expansion of Thoise Airport on Friday, directing officials to expedite formalities and ensure close coordination for the timely execution of the strategically important project.During his visit to Nubra district, Kundra assessed the land identified for the airport’s expansion and instructed the concerned departments to fast-track all pending processes. Stressing the need for efficient implementation, he ordered the constitution of a four-member team to prepare a comprehensive, step-by-step action plan for the project.The Chief Secretary also inspected the airport runway and reviewed ongoing developmental works. Officials presented the proposed…
Leh, July 31: Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Friday conducted an extensive review of developmental works and public service delivery in the border villages of Turtuk and Bogdang during the second day of his Nubra district tour. He also interacted with local residents and elected representatives to assess grassroots issues and development priorities.During the visit, Kundra received a memorandum from representatives of the Largyab Patsathang New Settlement Area outlining their key demands and concerns.At Bogdang, the Chief Secretary visited the Public Library and addressed a public gathering at Government Higher Secondary School, where he was accorded a…
Leh, July 30, 2026: Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, undertook a three-day tour of Nubra District to review the progress of developmental works, inspect key public infrastructure projects, assess tourism-related initiatives, and evaluate the implementation of various government schemes across the district.The Chief Secretary was accompanied by Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department (PD&MD), Himanshu Gupta, IAS; Deputy Commissioner, Nubra; Senior Superintendent of Police, Nubra; Staff Officer to the Chief Secretary; Heads of Departments; and other concerned officers.On the first day of the tour, the Chief Secretary visited Diskit, where he attended a Special Registration Camp for hotels…
Leh, July 29, 2026: Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, chaired the 3rd Governing Council Meeting of the State AYUSH Society under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) to review the implementation of AYUSH initiatives in the Union Territory and discuss the State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) for the financial year 2026–27.The meeting was attended by Secretary, Planning Department; Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department; Joint Director, Finance; Director Health Services, Dr. Thinles; and senior officers from the concerned departments.At the outset, Director Health Services, Dr. Thinles, presented a detailed overview of the agenda, including the State Annual Action Plan (SAAP)…
Leh, July 28: In a significant administrative boost for Ladakh, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved ad-hoc promotions to vacant Group ‘B’ Gazetted Administrative Service posts, providing immediate relief to departments facing a shortage of Gazetted officers.The approval, conveyed through an MHA communication dated July 27, allows the Union Territory Administration to fill vacancies under the promotion quota as an interim measure until a regular promotion mechanism is established.According to officials, the move follows the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, who raised the issue with the MHA, highlighting that regular promotions had remained stalled due to…
Leh, July 28: In a major push to strengthen educational infrastructure in Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena dedicated 70 Public Libraries—35 each in Leh and Kargil districts—to the people of the Union Territory. While 69 libraries were inaugurated virtually, the Public Library at Trespone village in Kargil was inaugurated in person.The newly established libraries are equipped with heating facilities, computers, quality books, and dedicated reading spaces, providing students with a conducive environment to prepare for competitive examinations and pursue higher education.Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor urged parents, students, and local communities to transform these libraries into vibrant…
Leh, July 28: Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh Ashish Kundra on Tuesday inspected Solid Resource Management Centres (SRMCs) at Solar Colony, Thiksay, Kharu and Chuchot Yokma, reviewing solid waste management operations and directing officials to improve efficiency and maintain high sanitation standards.During the visit, Kundra assessed waste segregation, processing and disposal systems at the facilities and reviewed their overall performance. He interacted with sanitation workers, commending their efforts in ensuring scientific waste management and maintaining cleanliness.Emphasising the importance of effective solid waste management, the Chief Secretary directed officials to strengthen waste collection, segregation and disposal mechanisms while ensuring smooth functioning…
Leh, July 28: Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh Ashish Kundra on Tuesday reviewed the 2026–27 Action Plan under the Assistance to States and Union Territories for Modernisation of Police (ASUMP) scheme, directing officials to fast-track police modernisation and strengthen surveillance infrastructure across the Union Territory.Chairing a meeting of the UT-Level Empowered Committee (UTLEC), Kundra emphasised transparent and time-bound implementation of projects, including the installation of CCTV cameras, advanced surveillance systems, and a Centralised Monitoring System (CMS) for Ladakh Police.Senior police officials presented the revised action plan, including updated estimates for installing fixed-lens bullet cameras at police stations in line with…
Leh, July 28: Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Tuesday directed all departments to speed up budget utilisation and ensure timely execution of development projects during a comprehensive review of the Union Territory’s financial performance for FY 2026–27.Chairing a high-level meeting, Kundra stressed that optimal utilisation of public funds is critical for achieving Ladakh’s development goals. He instructed departments with poor expenditure performance to explain delays and submit concrete action plans to improve both financial and physical progress.Secretary, Finance, Tsewang Tharchin, IA&AS, presented a detailed overview of the budget, covering departmental allocations, capital expenditure, monthly expenditure plans, utilisation…
Leh, July 27, 2026: Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, chaired a meeting of the UT-Level Implementation Committee constituted for the effective implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, and reviewed the progress made towards compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 6174 concerning solid waste management and monitoring.The meeting was attended by the Divisional Commissioner; Secretaries of Health, PWD, Tourism and Planning; Regional Director, IFS and Member Secretary, Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC); Deputy Commissioner, Leh; senior officers of concerned departments and other stakeholders. Vice-Chancellors of the University of Ladakh and Deputy…
Kargil, July 27: Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, today inaugurated the newly constructed office building of the Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), UT Ladakh at Kurbathang, Kargil.The new office building has been constructed at a cost of ₹860.67 lakh, with the PWD (R&B) Division, Kargil serving as the executing agency. The facility is expected to strengthen the functioning of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department and improve the delivery of essential public services in the region.The inauguration ceremony was held in presence of Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon,…
Centre to strengthen road safety through transparent, technology-driven driving licence testing L-G urges everyone to treat obtaining driving licence as a responsibility towards society Kargil, July 26: Marking another significant milestone in the Administration’s efforts to promote transparent, technology-driven and citizen-centric governance, Li eutenant Governor, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, today inaugurated the state-of-the-art Automated Driving Testing Centre (ADTC) at Kurbathang, Kargil. Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon and Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Shri Mohmad Haneefa Jan were present during the inauguration. Developed under the guidance of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India,…
Kargil, July 25: Stressing the importance of livestock-based livelihoods in Ladakh, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd. Jaffer Akhoon, on Saturday called for greater support to the livestock sector while inaugurating a one-day workshop on “Poultry Farming in High Altitude Areas of Ladakh: Sustainable Practices and Farmers’ Empowerment” at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kargil.The workshop, organised by the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Poultry Breeding, ICAR Leh Centre, High Altitude Livestock Research Institute (HALRI), brought together scientists, agricultural experts, policymakers and farmers to promote sustainable poultry farming in Ladakh.Addressing the gathering, Dr. Akhoon highlighted…
Kargil, July 25: Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Saturday held an interactive session with entrepreneurs from across Kargil district, discussing measures to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and promote sustainable economic growth.Entrepreneurs representing sectors such as apricot and Halman products, sea buckthorn, pashmina, handloom, handicrafts, wood and joinery, and allied industries shared their challenges related to skill development, market access, branding, funding, infrastructure and policy support.Describing the interaction as constructive, Kundra stressed the need for regular engagement with sector-specific stakeholders to better understand their concerns and develop targeted solutions. He also encouraged entrepreneurs to…
Leh, July 25: A three-day District Level Cascade Workshop aimed at strengthening Mathematics and Science education concluded at Paras Hall, Boys Higher Secondary School, Leh, with educators emphasising innovative and inquiry-based teaching practices in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.Organised by DIET Leh in collaboration with the Department of School Education, UT Ladakh, and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, under the iRISE initiative, the workshop brought together elementary and secondary school teachers from across Leh district.The valedictory session was attended by Principal DIET Leh, S.D. Namgial, HOD DIET Leh Tsering Yangdol, resource persons…
Nubra, July 25: As part of the “Jan Jan Rakhe Dhyan – TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan”, a 100-day tuberculosis awareness and screening campaign was successfully conducted at Udmaru village in Nubra on Friday, reinforcing efforts to achieve a TB-free region.The campaign focused on spreading awareness about tuberculosis, encouraging early diagnosis and ensuring timely treatment through community participation.A major highlight of the initiative was the deployment of a portable X-ray screening unit, enabling on-the-spot health examinations and early identification of suspected TB cases, particularly among residents of remote areas with limited access to healthcare facilities.The programme witnessed active support from the…
Leh, July 24: The Union Territory of Ladakh is set to launch a month-long Drug-Free Ladakh Campaign under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, with Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra directing all departments to adopt a coordinated, evidence-based and community-driven strategy to tackle substance abuse.Chairing a high-level review meeting, Kundra stressed that the campaign must move beyond conventional awareness drives and evolve into a mass social movement involving religious leaders, educational institutions, transport unions, civil society groups and local communities.The campaign will feature awareness rallies, educational camps, competitions, IEC activities, community outreach programmes and digital campaigns across the UT. Nodal officers have…
Leh, July 24: In a major push to strengthen Ladakh’s iconic Pashmina industry, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Friday reviewed key initiatives aimed at modernising the region’s Pashmina value chain and improving the livelihoods of Changthang pastoralists.Chairing a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Ladakh Pashmina Development Board (LPDB), the Chief Secretary stressed the need for timely and transparent payments to herders, directing officials to establish a robust digital payment system integrated with J&K Bank to enable direct spot payments into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.The meeting reviewed the implementation of the Revolving Fund Policy, raw Pashmina procurement, livestock development incentives,…
New Delhi: Activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his indefinite hunger strike after the government assured him that his demands would be met.This development came after Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital around Thursday midnight and conveyed the government’s assurances to him.”The government is positive on not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and those who participated in the march to Parliament on July 20, 2026,” Nadda said, reading out the government’s assurances to Wangchuk in the presence of his wife Gitanjali Angmo and others.The Union Health Minister further said…