08 February (Gulistan News TV): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a crucial high-level meeting with a delegation from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil and senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir administration to discuss and resolve key issues affecting the students, patients, and residents of Ladakh.
The meeting, held in Srinagar, brought together top officials from both regions to facilitate solutions for the longstanding challenges faced by Ladakhis in Jammu and Kashmir.
The LAHDC Kargil delegation was led by Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, accompanied by senior councilor Feroz Ahmad Khan and other representatives. The delegation also included Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Haji Mohd Haneefa Jan, and former Minister and senior National Conference leader Qamar Ali Akhoon.
On the Jammu and Kashmir side, the meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary (Education) Shatmanu, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, and administrative secretaries from key departments including Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education, and ARI & Trainings.
A major concern raised by the delegation was the difficulties faced by Ladakh patients traveling to Srinagar for medical treatment.
• Help Desk at SKIMS and Super-Specialty Hospitals: CM Omar Abdullah assured that a dedicated help desk for Ladakh patients would be established at SKIMS, Soura, and other super-specialty hospitals in Kashmir.
• The help desk will be managed by staff from the Ladakh administration, ensuring immediate assistance and coordination for patients from Kargil and Leh.
• The delegation requested the appointment of nodal officers to assist patients referred to hospitals in Srinagar and Jammu.
The issue of limited opportunities for Ladakh students in J&K’s educational institutions was prominently discussed.
• CM Omar Abdullah emphasized the need to increase awareness among Ladakh students about quota seats available in J&K colleges and universities, as many remain unutilized due to lack of information.
• The delegation urged the extension of existing student hostels in Jammu and Srinagar to accommodate more students from Ladakh.
• Concerns were raised regarding the selection and training of paramedical students from Ladakh in medical institutes across J&K.
The delegation highlighted multiple concerns regarding road connectivity, drinking water, and essential services in Ladakh, especially in Kargil.
• Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Minister for Jal Shakti Javed Ahmed Rana assured the delegation that these issues would be addressed on priority, with immediate follow-ups at the administrative level.
Recognizing Kargil’s tourism potential, the delegation requested greater promotional efforts to attract visitors.
• They urged the J&K government to include Kargil in tourism events held in Srinagar and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
• This initiative is expected to boost economic opportunities for the region by increasing tourist footfall.
CM Omar Abdullah stressed the importance of ensuring better representation of Ladakh in Jammu and Srinagar.
• He urged the Ladakh administration to post senior officers in both cities to efficiently handle issues faced by Ladakh residents.
• Reaffirming the historical relationship between Ladakh and J&K, he stated, “Maps may change, but our relationship with you is centuries old and will remain strong.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, the LAHDC Kargil delegation expressed deep gratitude to CM Omar Abdullah for his patient hearing and proactive approach in addressing their concerns.
• They appreciated the J&K government’s commitment to providing better facilities, infrastructure, and educational opportunities for the people of Ladakh.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with assurances from the J&K administration that immediate action would be taken on all the issues raised. Gulistan News TV