Author: The Dispatch Staff
Leh, July 5: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena has announced two major decisions to strengthen the Union Territory’s globally renowned Pashmina sector and improve the livelihoods of nomadic herders.Chairing the first meeting of the Ladakh Pashmina Development Board, the Lieutenant Governor approved a 25% production-based incentive under the Livestock Development Incentive Programme. The incentive will be paid over and above the government procurement price of raw Pashmina, aiming to enhance herders’ income, profitability and long-term sustainability.The Board also approved an ₹8 crore revolving fund to ensure timely payments to Pashmina producers. Under the new mechanism, 50% of the…
Leh, July 5: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Sunday reviewed the implementation of key social welfare programmes in Ladakh and directed officials to strengthen welfare delivery, institutional infrastructure and outreach to vulnerable communities.Athawale, who arrived in Ladakh on an official visit, was received by senior officials of the Social and Tribal Welfare Department, including Nidhi Malik. He later chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of centrally sponsored schemes and the overall social welfare framework in the Union Territory.Officials briefed the Minister on the implementation of major schemes, including the National…
Leh, July 5: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Sunday assured support for the long-pending proposal to establish a Buddhist University in Ladakh during the State-Level Committee Meeting of the Buddhist Society of India (BSI) held in Leh.The meeting, chaired by Dr. Chandrabhan (Modi) Patil, was attended by senior Buddhist leaders, monks, scholars, public representatives and members of civil society.A memorandum submitted by the BSI and various Buddhist organisations urged the Centre to establish a Buddhist University in Ladakh, highlighting the region’s historic role as a centre of Buddhist learning and seeking greater support…
Leh, July 5: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale on Sunday visited the Mahabodhi Devachan Campus in Leh and assured full support for the humanitarian, educational and social welfare initiatives being undertaken by the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC).Athawale was accorded a traditional welcome by Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Founder President and Spiritual Director of MIMC. He was received by monks, nuns, students, staff and members of the organisation, followed by a reception at the Sambodhi Retreat Centre.During the interaction, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena briefed the Minister about MIMC’s humanitarian work across Ladakh and the Himalayan region,…
Leh, July 4: Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena on Saturday inaugurated a Mini Indoor Stadium at Chuchot Gongma, reinforcing the Union Territory Administration’s commitment to developing world-class sports infrastructure for the youth of Ladakh. The modern facility has been designed to serve as a dedicated hub for indoor sports, training and community engagement, enabling athletes to practice and compete throughout the year despite Ladakh’s harsh weather conditions. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said the stadium reflects the administration’s vision of providing young sportspersons with quality infrastructure and opportunities that match their aspirations. He added that investment in modern…
Leh, July 4: Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena on Saturday inaugurated a modern 40m × 20m Futsal Court at the Learning Center in Thiksey Learning Center, in the presence of Thiksey Rinpoche. The newly developed facility, equipped with artificial turf, is designed to provide young athletes with year-round training and competition opportunities in Ladakh’s high-altitude conditions. The initiative is aimed at promoting sports culture, encouraging fitness, and strengthening discipline, resilience and teamwork among the region’s youth. Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said the new infrastructure reflects the administration’s commitment to empowering young people through quality sports facilities. He…
Kargil, July 4: The Krishi Vigyan Kendra Zanskar has successfully concluded its month-long Khet Bachao Abhiyan, a large-scale agricultural awareness campaign aimed at promoting soil conservation, natural farming and sustainable agriculture across the Zanskar Valley.Conducted from June 1 to June 30, the campaign covered dozens of remote villages and benefitted more than 3,600 farmers, farm women and rural youth through 42 awareness programmes, 31 training sessions, six SHG/FIG programmes and one Kisan Mela.During the campaign, KVK scientists educated farmers on balanced fertiliser use, soil health management, integrated nutrient management, organic manure application, preparation of Jeevamrit, natural farming techniques and sustainable…
Kargil, July 4: Marking a major shift in rural employment initiatives, the Rural Development Department, Kargil, on Thursday formally launched the Viksit Bharat Gramin Rozgar Abhiyan (VB G-RAM-G), replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA). The new programme aims to strengthen rural livelihoods, generate sustainable employment and accelerate rural development across the district.The district-level launch was chaired by Shafiq Ahmed, who said the scheme builds upon the achievements of MGNREGA by creating durable community assets, expanding livelihood opportunities and improving the socio-economic conditions of rural households. He urged officials and field functionaries to ensure effective implementation and…
Leh, July 4: A two-day career awareness seminar aimed at preparing students of the Union Territory of Ladakh for premier institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology and the National Defence Academy concluded successfully in Leh and Kargil, witnessing enthusiastic participation from students across the region.Organised by Career Defence School, the seminar was led by founder and CEO Vinay Rai along with Administrative Officer Gagan Wadhwa. The programme was coordinated by Khan Jahangeer and Amir Suhail in collaboration with the UT Ladakh Education Department.In Leh, the event was attended by Sheikh Adil, DIET Principal S. D. Namgail, District Planning Officer…
Leh, July 4: In a high-level review aimed at accelerating development across the Union Territory, Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Friday directed all departments to prioritise outcome-oriented governance, stressing timely project completion, measurable results and transparent implementation of Central flagship schemes.Chairing a comprehensive review meeting in Leh, the Chief Secretary assessed the physical and financial progress of major schemes, beneficiary coverage, implementation status and bottlenecks across key sectors, while asking departments to move beyond paperwork and focus on delivering tangible benefits on the ground.In the education sector, Kundra sought an explanation for the high school dropout rate and reviewed…
Lt Gen Madanraj Pande, GOC Fire & Fury Corps, visited HQ Trishul Division to review the operational preparedness and combat readiness of the formation.During the visit, the GOC interacted with troops and commended the Division for its professionalism, operational excellence and steadfast commitment. He exhorted all ranks to maintain the highest standards of vigilance and combat readiness along the Line of Actual Control.
Leh, July 4: In a major boost to Ladakh’s water conservation efforts, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena announced the successful rejuvenation of a major water body at Matho under the ambitious Project Him Sarovar. The lake, which was completely dead and filled with muck during his first visit on April 17, has now been restored and is fully functional.The revived water body can now store 25 to 30 million litres of glacier-melt water, significantly enhancing its earlier capacity of around 15 million litres. The restored reservoir is expected to provide irrigation support to nearly 150 acres of agricultural land, strengthening water…
Leh, Ladakh: In a major encouragement for Ladakh’s sporting talent, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena extended financial assistance of ₹50,000 each to four outstanding athletes representing the region on national and international platforms.The support was provided to Stanzin Tsewang and Skarma Dawa Zesal, who will represent India at the Asian Pencak Silat Championship; Shanaz Parveen, the first woman from Ladakh to represent India twice at the World University Games; and Padma Namgail, one of Ladakh’s youngest Mount Everest summiteers through the NCC Expedition.LG Saxena praised the dedication, hard work and achievements of the athletes, stating that their success has brought immense…
Drass, June 30: A proud moment for Ladakh as the team from Government Degree College Drass secured the Second Position at the National Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Hackathon 2026 held in Kolkata.The winning team from the Department of Zoology, led by Dr. Javed M Iqbal, along with Dr. Talib Hussain and student Mudassir Hussain, impressed the jury with their innovative project titled “Traditional Knowledge for Biodiversity Conservation.”The team also bagged the Second Best Presenter Award and received a cash prize of ₹75,000 for their remarkable contribution towards biodiversity conservation.The project showcased a unique approach by combining citizen science, digital…
Kargil, July 01: In a major boost to tourism promotion in Kargil district, Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon today inaugurated the newly developed Barburchey View Point at Sankoo, calling it a significant step towards showcasing the region’s natural beauty, culture and tourism potential.The inauguration ceremony was attended by Councillor Sankoo Syed Ahmad Razvi, former MLA Syed Baqir, Tourism Department officials, SDM Office representatives, religious leaders and local residents.Appreciating the efforts of local youth Zakir Parwana, whose vision and dedication led to the development of the scenic viewpoint, CEC Akhoon said such initiatives reflect the growing…
Nyoma, July 01: In a major push towards environmental protection and cleanliness, the Nyoma administration launched a special enforcement drive against the use of banned single-use plastics in the market area.Naib Tehsildar Nyoma Sh. Feroz Ahmad Khan led the inspection drive, checking commercial establishments for compliance with the plastic ban and reviewing waste disposal practices to prevent littering and ensure proper waste management.During the operation, several violators were found breaching the guidelines and were penalised under the applicable provisions. Fines were recovered from the offenders as part of the enforcement action.Feroz Ahmad Khan appealed to shopkeepers, residents and visitors to…
Leh, June 29: In a significant boost to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in Ladakh, Union Minister for MSME, Jitan Ram Manjhi on Monday reviewed the implementation of various Central government schemes and assured stakeholders that concerns related to credit access, subsidies and market linkages would be addressed.Chairing a high-level review meeting at the DC Conference Hall in Leh, the Minister assessed the progress of MSME initiatives in the Union Territory and interacted with entrepreneurs, banking institutions, industry representatives and government officials.The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Vinamra Mishra, Deputy Commissioner Leh Romil Singh Donk,…
Nubra, June 27: Administrative Secretary, Public Works Department (PWD), UT Ladakh, Shri Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary, IAS, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of ongoing road and bridge projects being executed under the Roads & Buildings (R&B) and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) wings in Nubra district.During the meeting, the Administrative Secretary sought detailed updates on the physical and financial progress of various projects, including their completion status, upgradation works, liabilities, and challenges affecting implementation. He emphasized the need for close monitoring and effective coordination to ensure that infrastructure projects are completed within the stipulated…
Nubra, June 27: Administrative Secretary, Public Works Department (PWD), UT Ladakh, Shri Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary, IAS, along with Deputy Commissioner Nubra, Shri Mukul Beniwal, IAS, today inspected the ongoing Hunder–Dok Road project being executed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to assess the progress of work.During the visit, the Administrative Secretary interacted with the Nambardar and local residents to gather first-hand feedback regarding the project’s status and developmental concerns of the area. He reviewed the pace of execution and emphasized the importance of timely completion of the road, which is expected to enhance connectivity and facilitate socio-economic…
Phobrang, June 27: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth today interacted with participants of the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme (VVVP) at Phobrang village in Changthang district of Ladakh, highlighting the crucial role of youth and border communities in nation-building.Addressing the gathering, Sanjay Seth said that India’s border villages are not the country’s last villages but its first villages, representing the nation’s strength, courage and identity. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for launching initiatives such as the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme, which connect young people with frontier…