J-K Guv addresses issues of Kargil, meets coordination committee

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Friday met the All Party Co-ordination Committee members from Kargil district to understand and resolve the concerns of the people of Kargil regarding the newly formed Ladakh Division.

Following the meeting, Malik announced: "The newly created Administrative/ Revenue Division of Ladakh will have its headquarters jointly at Leh and Kargil. There will be offices at both places in Leh and Kargil. Two Additional Divisional Commissioners will be posted, one each in Leh and Kargil. The Divisional Commissioner and IG will spend half their time in Kargil and half in Leh. The periodicity of this will be determined by the Committee. The SRO will be revised accordingly," stated the official press release.

The Committee constituted by State Administrative Council (SAC) under the Principal Secretary (Planning) will examine and report on the periodicity of the Divisional Commissioner's and IG's sitting at Leh/ Kargil-weekly, fortnightly, etc.

It will identify the posts of Divisional Level heads of various departments that may be required for the new Ladakh Division, their equitable locations at Kargil/Leh and their staffing pattern. The Committee will submit its report by 24.02.2019, read the press release.

Malik also announced that the State government will immediately provide Rs. 200 crore from the JKIDFC/other sources to a separate account to convert the Kargil airport to a full-fledged civilian airport which can handle medium body jets like Boeing and Airbus.

The Secretary of Ladakh Affairs has also been ordered to constantly engage with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil and other peoples' representatives to improve the development prospects of Kargil.

The Co-ordination Committee welcomed the Governor's decision and agreed to call off all demonstrations in Kargil. The Governor also welcomed the decision of the Co-ordination Committee and complimented them for the peaceful nature of their demonstration and said this is a hallmark of our democracy.