Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, June 11: Member Parliament from Ladakh Thupstan Chhewang called on to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi here today and demanded Union Territory status for Ladakh region. He also submitting a memorandum to him along highlighting the demand other issues of the people of the region.
The memorandum said there is hope and optimism among the people that good days are round the corner after Mr Modi took over as Prime Minister. It said the inhabitants of Ladakh Constituency which is situated on the other side of mighty Himalayas, its inhabitants are keenly looking forward to Mr Modi’s guidance and support to fuifil their long-felt need and demand for development. Of course, they are closely watching the response to electoral promises made by the Party.
It said in recognition of popular sentiments in Ladakh BJP has promised it a Union territory status. “We should move in that direction. Till that is done, the Central Government should provide a special annual grant of Rs. 200 crore directly to the elected Autonomous Hill Councils in Leh and Kargil to discharge their responsibilities in addition to the funds they get through the State Government”. The Hill Councils do feel stifled in the present dispensation in which they are heavily dependent upon the State Government which more often than not has a lukewarm if not hostile attitude.
In the past Atal Bihari Vajpayee had as Prime Minister initiated action for setting up a Trans-Himalayan Development Authority for the country’s border areas from Leh to Arunachal Pradesh having nearly the same fragile eco-system. We should revive the idea and translate it into a reality.
It said a Central University should be established in Ladakh to reduce the financial and emotional strain on its young persons and their families. Presently thousands of young men and women of the region have to per force move out of their homes for studies in higher institutions of learning elsewhere in the country.
He demanded opening of Leh route for the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage to boost tourism in the entire Ladakh and provide a less hazardous route to pilgrims.
The memorandum said the case for inclusion of the Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution has been pending for too long. It said Bhoti deserves this status as it is spoken over a large area spread from Leh to Tawang.
It demanded status of Deemed University for Central Institute of Buddhist Studies in Leh. Besides, the development of Ladakh should get priority for ushering in prosperity to end increasing unemployment. The region has quite a few distinct natural products: Pashmina Goats, wonder berry seabuckthorn, aromatic and herbal plants and apricot, to name a few. It is Leh’s Pashmina which has been made globally famous by Kashmiri artisans through their extraordinary embroidery skills. Seabuckthorn has been vastly explored and exploited for commercial purposes by China and Germany in particular. Aromatic and herbal plants are awaiting research. Apricot is popular but its uses are currently limited. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Autonomous Hill Development Council of Leh have done some work in certain fields but a lot more needs to be done. A comprehensive plan for research and development as well as commercial use of these natural bounties should be formulated and executed. Besides, there is traditional handloom and cottage industry in Ladakh. It should be protected and modernised with the application of new techniques.
It said at present connectivity of Leh and Kargil with the rest of the country is poor. The entire region is cut off for seven months every year as road links are snapped because of heavy snowfall and there is no rail link. Leh has certain flights almost every day but the fares are too exorbitant. Kargil Airport needs to be expanded to facilitate civil air services involving landing of big planes. Presently it has no such facility and has to depend on army flights during winters when its road link from Srinagar is cut off. Till the Kargil airport is expanded the airlines companies should be directed to regularly fly small planes from Srinagar and Delhi to Kargil.
The memorandum also stressed on improving road networking in the region
It said Pakistani and Chinese incursions create sense of fear and insecurity in Drass ( Kargil) – one of the theatres of the 1999 war and Nubra and Changthang ( Leh District). These areas require a special package for economic development. The people of these areas should be actively involved in civilian employment -oriented activities undertaken by the Army in the region.
The memorandum demanded opening of Kargil-Skardu route as it has been done in the case of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads. It would help reunion of diivided families and encourage trade and tourism. It also demanded covring of Ladkah region with mobile networking.
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