Author: The Dispatch Staff

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…

Kargil, July 23: Chief Controller of Finance (CCF), LAHDC Kargil, Iftikhar Hussain chaired a review meeting with district officers to strengthen the guidelines governing subsidy components of various LAHDC Kargil schemes, with an emphasis on ensuring transparency, accountability and fair distribution of benefits.The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Agriculture, Horticulture, Tourism, Handicrafts, Handloom, Education, Youth Services, Cooperative Department, KREDA and other concerned departments.Addressing the officers, Hussain said the review aims to ensure that government-sponsored subsidy schemes reach genuine and deserving beneficiaries through a transparent and objective process. He stressed the need for clearly…

Leh, July 23: Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Thursday inaugurated a two-day international conference on “Legal Framework of Election Management Body Independence” in Leh, highlighting the critical role of independent election institutions in safeguarding democratic values and public trust.Organised by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, UT Ladakh, in collaboration with the Election Commission of India (ECI), the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) and International IDEA, the conference has brought together constitutional experts, election administrators, legal scholars, academicians and international delegates from across the globe.Addressing the inaugural session, Kundra…

Zanskar, July 19, 2026: WWF-India distributed solar flashlight for 41 Doxa families in two phases from Aksho, Abran, and Himilig villages under its Himalayan Brown Bear Conservation Project. The initiative aims to strengthen community-based conservation efforts and reduce human–brown bear conflicts by improving safety for pastoral families during nighttime by improving their ability to guard livestock when bears are most active. The programme was graced by Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Er. Phunchok Tashi, who distributed the solar flashlights to the beneficiary families. The event was attended by representatives of WWF-India, village Lambardars, Doxa families, and other community members. The WWF-India…

Kargil, July 20, 2026: Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC Kargil, and Chairman, DWSM Rakesh Kumar IAS, today chaired a review meeting at his office chamber to assess the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission in Kargil district. At the outset, a detailed presentation was made on the current status of Jal Jeevan Mission implementation across the district. The Deputy Commissioner reviewed the overall progress and stressed the need for timely completion of all pending works. He directed the concerned officers to expedite the uploading of the remaining Functional Household Tap Connections,complete the Har Ghar Jal Certification process, update…

Kargil, July 21, 2026: Two Executive Councillors of 5th Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, were sworn in today at Conference Hall LAHDC Council Secretariat, Kargil in a ceremony organised by Election Authority Kargil. Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kargil, Shri Sheikh Gowher Hussain, administered oath of secrecy to Altaf Hussain and Syed Ali who were made part of Executive Council of 5th LAHDC Kargil through order issued on 15 July by Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon. Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Rakesh Kumar, Directors, District Officers, Councillors from different constituencies,…

Modern Truss bridge reduces distance between Udmaroo, Hundri, Terchey and Skuru villages by nearly 35 km; boosts connectivity, pilgrimage and development across Nubra Nubra, July 21: In another major milestone towards strengthening infrastructure in Nubra district, Lieutenant Governor, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, today inaugurated the ₹27.18-crore Udmaroo Bridge over Shayok River. The strategically important bridge will reduce the travel distance between Udmaroo and Hundri villages and Terchey and Skuru villages by nearly 35 kilometres, drastically reducing travel time and providing seamless all-weather connectivity. The bridge will also improve access across Nubra district and provide uninterrupted connectivity to Sham…

Leh, July 20: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Special Rapporteur for the Himalayan Region, Shomita Biswas, on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting in Leh to assess human rights issues across the social welfare, tribal affairs, prisons and health sectors in Ladakh.The meeting, attended by senior civil, police and health officials, focused on the welfare of vulnerable groups, including children, women, prisoners, persons with mental health concerns and other marginalised communities.Biswas stressed the need for a coordinated approach to tackle mental health challenges, substance abuse, child protection and women’s welfare, while calling for early intervention, community awareness and stronger rehabilitation…

Leh, July 14: Chief Secretary of Ladakh Ashish Kundra visited Sham district on Tuesday to review the progress of the Sindhu Central University (SCU), inaugurate the Tia Model High School, and assess key development issues raised by local communities.Kundra inspected the SCU transit campus at Zer-thang, reviewing classrooms, hostel facilities and academic infrastructure. He also held a virtual meeting with Vice Chancellor Dr. Chandrasekhar and other university officials to assess admissions, faculty strength and student enrolment. During the visit, he inaugurated the university’s Temperature Forecast System portal.Reviewing the under-construction permanent SCU campus at Go-thang, the Chief Secretary expressed concern over…

Leh, July 15: Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department (PD&MD), Himanshu Gupta on Wednesday reviewed the progress of tourism infrastructure projects being implemented under the Special Development Package (SDP) and State Sector Schemes, directing executing agencies to speed up pending works and ensure timely completion.Chairing a review meeting, Gupta assessed the financial and physical progress of projects during the first quarter of the 2026–27 financial year. Secretary Tourism Sanjeet Rodrigues informed the meeting that ₹2,043.68 lakh (35.08%) had been spent out of the approved ₹5,825.63 lakh SDP allocation, while ₹3,781.95 lakh remains available.The review covered several key projects, including…

Leh, July 15: The historic Salt Satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi was brought to life on stage as the Ladakhi theatre production “RANGWANG” captivated a packed audience at Lotsava Hall in Leh during the National Theatre Festival 2026.Presented by Mandala Artworks, Ladakh in the Ladakhi language, the play was staged under the aegis of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Vande Mataram and the commemoration of Mahakavi Kalidas Jayanti. The festival is being held under the theme, “Bharat Speaks Through Theatre | Yuva Rangmanch Se Rashtra Jagran.”Directed by young theatre director Diksit…

LEH, July 15: The Union Territory of Ladakh has embarked on what is being described as the most far-reaching exercise in democratic decentralisation since it was carved out as a separate Union Territory in 2019, with the administration announcing that each of its seven districts will have an Autonomous Hill Development Council (AHDC). The move is expected to fundamentally reshape governance in the strategically important Himalayan region by transferring decision-making closer to local communities. The announcement was made by Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra during a press conference in Leh on Monday, where he also outlined the broader roadmap for constitutional…

Chushul, July 12: An awareness campaign on the ban on single-use plastics was organised in Chushul village on Sunday to educate residents about the environmental hazards of plastic waste and promote eco-friendly alternatives.Held under the guidance of the village Numberdar, the campaign highlighted the adverse impact of single-use plastics on the environment, wildlife and public health while encouraging sustainable practices.Addressing the gathering, Panchayat Inspector Sonam Tundup stressed the need to eliminate single-use plastics to ensure a clean and healthy environment. He urged villagers to switch to cloth bags, reusable containers and adopt proper waste management practices. He also called on…

Leh, July 11: The Sheep Husbandry Department of the Union Territory of Ladakh on Saturday reviewed its quarterly performance, with a renewed focus on improving livestock productivity, achieving fodder self-sufficiency and enhancing the income of livestock rearers.The Quarterly Review Meeting, chaired by Director Dr. Iftikhar Hussain at the Stock Assistant Training Institute, Leh, was attended by District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Kargil, Dr. Nyaz-ul-Hassan; District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Leh, Dr. Tsewang Morup; Deputy Director, Upshi Pashmina Goat Project, Leh, Dr. Tundup Namgyal, besides farm in-charges and block-level officers from Leh and Kargil.The meeting reviewed the department’s quarterly physical and financial achievements…

Leh, July 9: In a major push to transform Ladakh’s rural economy, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra has called for a cooperative-led growth model in the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries sector, stressing that livestock, dairy, fisheries and pashmina should become key drivers of employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods across the Union Territory. Chairing a comprehensive review meeting of the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department in Leh on Thursday, the Chief Secretary reviewed the implementation of departmental schemes, Special Development Projects, State Sector initiatives and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, while directing officials to focus on innovation, scientific planning and community-based development. During the…

Khaltsi, July 6: Deputy Commissioner, Sham, Kunzes Angmo (JKAS) on Monday chaired the first meeting of the District Level Narco Coordination (NCORD) Committee to review measures aimed at preventing drug abuse, curbing illicit trafficking, and eliminating narcotic cultivation in the district.Reviewing the progress made by various departments, the Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for stronger inter-departmental coordination and directed officials to intensify anti-drug awareness campaigns, strengthen monitoring mechanisms, and adopt proactive measures to protect youth from the growing drug menace.The meeting discussed the Committee’s key responsibilities, including strengthening intelligence sharing on drug trafficking, monitoring illegal cultivation of poppy and cannabis,…

Leh, July 6: Thousands of devotees from across Ladakh and different parts of the world gathered at Jivetsal, Choglamsar, on Monday to celebrate the 91st Birth Anniversary of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with prayers, cultural performances, and deep spiritual devotion.The grand celebration was jointly organised by the Ladakh Buddhist Association, Ladakh Gonpa Association, and the Central Tibetan Administration. The event witnessed the presence of Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh Ashish Kundra, senior government officials, prominent Buddhist leaders, and community elders.A vibrant cultural programme added colour to the celebrations, with students of TCV Leh and Ladakhi and Tibetan artists…

Drass, July 4: Director General of Police, UT Ladakh, Anand Jain on Friday paid his maiden official visit to the newly created district of Drass, where he reviewed policing, inspected infrastructure and directed officers to intensify efforts against narcotics trafficking and cybercrime.During his visit to Police Station Drass, the DGP conducted a detailed review of the crime scenario, examined crime records and assessed investigation standards. He directed officers to strengthen crime record management, improve the quality of investigations and enhance the overall functioning of the police station.The DGP also inspected the newly established District Police Office, reviewed the functioning of…

Drass, July 5: Patriotism and public welfare took centre stage in Drass on Sunday as the Sarhad International Shauryathon 2026 witnessed participation of over 3,000 runners, while the border town also received a major healthcare boost with the inauguration of a CT Scan Machine and dedication of a 4×4 ambulance to the Sub-District Hospital.Organised jointly by the Indian Army and Sarhad, Pune, with support from Arham Foundation, the marathon was held at the Kargil War Memorial under the theme “Run With Resolve, Run For Unity.” The event featured 21-km, 10-km, 5-km and 3-km race categories and drew enthusiastic participation from…