Kargil, April 12: The Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, today inaugurated the newly constructed Rural Development Department (RDD) Complex and the District Resource Centre at Kurbathang, along with the Co-Working Space at Kargil.
The RDD Building, constructed at a cost of 19.56 crores, incorporates all key officers under a single roo,f including Directorate, Assistant Commissioner Development, District Panchayat Officer and others. The building complex has a Resource Centre, Library, and a Conference Hall.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that the RDD Complex and District Resource Centre would play a pivotal role in strengthening rural planning, institutional capacity, and the overall delivery of governance in the district. He said the new facilities would enable more effective and well-coordinated implementation of development programmes, particularly benefiting rural and remote areas of Kargil.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that this significant addition to Kargil’s infrastructure landscape strongly aligns with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat initiative. He described the project as an important step towards realising the Prime Minister’s vision of inclusive and sustainable development, especially in geographically challenging regions.
Emphasising rural transformation, the Lieutenant Governor stated that the ongoing infrastructure development in Kargil reflects the Government of India’s unwavering commitment to Gramin Vikas, guided by the principles of speed, sensitivity, and skill. He underlined that the objective of these efforts is to ensure equitable development, reaching every individual across all regions of the country.
Highlighting Ladakh’s unique geographical and strategic significance due to its proximity to China and Pakistan, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the importance of a holistic development approach. He said that while safeguarding national borders remains a top priority, strengthening infrastructure and promoting tourism are equally vital for enhancing livelihood opportunities and enabling the people of Ladakh to become self-reliant.
The Lieutenant Governor also underscored the immense potential of locally produced goods such as pashmina, apricot, and sea buckthorn to establish a strong presence in international markets. He noted that improved finishing standards, enhanced packaging, and well-planned marketing strategies could significantly boost the global competitiveness of these products. The Lieutenant Governor assured that the Administration would work in close collaboration with all stakeholders to strengthen value addition, branding, and market linkages, thereby enabling local producers to access wider markets and achieve sustainable growth.
The Lieutenant Governor also inaugurated the Co-Working Space at Kargil, established by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Union Territory of Ladakh. He said the initiative marks a significant step towards promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and start-up culture in the region. The facility is envisioned as a collaborative hub for young entrepreneurs, freelancers, start-ups, and professionals, providing a modern shared workspace, essential infrastructure, networking opportunities, and avenues for skill development. The initiative, he added, aligns with the Administration’s broader vision of inclusive development and sustainable economic progress in the Union Territory.
