Leh Council Criticises Absence of Kargil Officials at Key Ladakh Job Creation Meeting
SRINAGAR: A controversy has erupted over the absence of Kargil district’s departmental heads at a crucial meeting convened by the Hill Development Council of Leh (LAHDC) on Saturday to discuss employment generation in Ladakh’s newly created districts. The absence of Kargil’s representatives has sparked frustration within the Leh Council, with Chairman Tashi Gyalson calling it “unfortunate” and “unacceptable”, Chandigarh newspaper, The Tribune reported.
Ladakh, which currently comprises two districts, is in the process of forming five additional districts—Nubra, Changthang, Sham, Zanskar, and Drass—following an announcement by the central government last year. One of the primary objectives behind this restructuring is to create new employment opportunities for locals.
Gyalson expressed concern that Kargil’s administration might have directed officials to avoid the meeting, warning of repercussions if his suspicions are confirmed. He insisted that public representatives have a right to be informed about the allocation of new posts in the region and vowed to raise the issue with the Union Home Minister. “A Directorate should work across all of Ladakh, not just within a single district. If this is the case, the heads of departments based in Leh should not be allowed to travel outside their jurisdiction either,” he stated.
During the meeting, the newspaper reported the officials from various departments briefed the Leh Council Chairman on proposed staffing for each district, with a focus on sectors such as health, agriculture, handloom, and infrastructure. Gyalson scrutinised these proposals and instructed that staffing be planned according to the existing administrative blocks to ensure equitable distribution of resources. He also asked representatives to revise their proposals and submit original staffing requirements for further evaluation by the council.
Several key officials attended the meeting, including the Director of Hospitality and Protocol, Director of Industries and Commerce, Director of Health Services, Chief Engineer PWD/R&B, Chief Engineer PDD, and representatives from sectors such as agriculture, education, animal husbandry, social welfare, and tourism, the report added.
