Ladakh: Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal addressed a press conference virtually from Delhi. The Director General of Police Ladakh joined from Leh, while the Secretary Information, Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Superintendent of Police Kargil, and other officers participated from both Leh and Kargil.
The Chief Secretary strongly warned against rumour mongering and impersonation that cause fear and alarm among the public. He clarified that rumours about the dissolution of LAHDC are completely baseless. He said the Councils are being strengthened and not dissolved, and appealed to the people to report rumour spreaders to their local SHOs. Strict action under law will be taken against those spreading false information.
On the recruitment front, the Chief Secretary informed that non-gazetted posts are being filled through the District Level Board and the UT-level Ladakh Staff Selection Recruitment Board, while gazetted posts are advertised by the UPSC. For 534 posts in Leh, more than forty-six thousand applications have been received, while for 474 posts in Kargil, over forty-seven thousand applications were submitted. In addition, fifty-four lecturer posts have been advertised by the UPSC.
On the HIAL land issue, the Chief Secretary clarified that the allotment was made as per rules, but since the conditions were not fulfilled, the land has been returned to LAHDC Leh. He reiterated that up to four kanals of state land can be allotted for housing purposes, keeping in view the scarcity of agricultural land in Ladakh.
Regarding security, the Chief Secretary along with the DGP said that due to Ladakh’s vast geography and expanding tourism activities, additional manpower is being mobilized. The DGP assured that Ladakh Police is fully prepared to face any challenge and is guiding youths towards upcoming recruitment drives. The Chief Secretary further underlined that drug abuse is the biggest danger to Ladakh and called for joint efforts to control it.
