Page 10 - Ladakh

Govt launches 12th round of bidding for city gas distribution in NE states

Natural gas is used for cooking by households as piped natural gas (PNG), and as an auto fuel as compressed natural gas (CNG)

Melting J&K glaciers threaten water supply, biodiversity, warns expert

Melting of glaciers in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is going to impact the water availability in the Himalayan region with consequent adverse effect on the dependent livelihoods, a leading scientist has warned. Studies show that glaciers in the region have dwindled by 25 per cent in the last six decades, while 48 per cent of them could vanish by the century's end even with moderate climate change. Earth scientist and glaciology expert, Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo, voiced concerns, highlighting the significance of snow and glaciers for J&K and Ladakh. "We have about 18,000 glaciers, some of these glaciers are big like the Siachen glacier which in one dimension has a length of about 65 kms. The huge glaciers we have, about 500 to 600 metres thick, are huge resources in J&K and Ladakh," Romshoo told PTI. The scientist noted that under climate change and increasing temperatures, the glaciers in the region are melting. "The other thing that is happening in this region under the climate ...

National Conference, Congress alliance sweep LAHDC-Kargil elections

The counting took place on Sunday for the first key election in Kargil after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and the creation of the Ladakh Union territory

Kargil will create an atmosphere against BJP, says NC ahead of results

The National Conference and the BJP on Saturday expressed confidence of a good performance in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil (LAHDC) elections, a day before the announcement of its results. The election to 26 seats of the 30-member hill council was held earlier this week. Four councillors with voting rights are nominated by the administration. It was the first poll in Kargil after the abrogation of Article 370 and the creation of the Union Territory of Ladakh in August 2019. The NC and the Congress had announced a pre-poll alliance, but put up 17 and 22 candidates respectively. Both parties said the arrangement had been restricted to areas where there was a tough contest with the BJP. The BJP, which won one seat in the last election and later took its tally to three with the joining of two PDP councillors, fielded 17 candidates this time. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) tried its luck from four seats, while 25 independents were also in the fray. The NC, which hea

More than 77% voter turnout recorded in Ladakh Hill Council elections

More than 77 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the elections to Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, the first key poll in the region after abrogation of Article 370. Polling for the elections which began at 8 am concluded at 4 pm smoothly, officials said. Voters across age groups turned out in large numbers to cast their vote in the 5th LAHDC elections in which 87 candidates are trying their luck for 26 seats of the 30-member hill council. Four councillors with voting rights are nominated by the administration. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8 and the new council will be in place before October 11. The existing council headed by National Conference's Feroz Ahmad Khan completed its five-year term on October 1. "There was polling of 77.61 per cent in the elections to LAHDC Kargil today. Barring a few incidents, polling concluded smoothly in all the constituencies," Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse told PTI. As per the

Ladakh council elections see 65% polling till 1 pm for 26 constituencies

Sixty-five per cent of electorate voted in the elections to Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil till 1 pm on Wednesday. Polling began at 8 am and is progressing smoothly, officials said. Voters across age groups turned out in large numbers since early morning to cast their vote in the 5th LAHDC elections in which 87 candidates are trying their luck for 26 constituencies. As per official data, 65 per cent of polling took place in 26 constituencies till 1 pm, with Ranbirpora constituency in Drass recording highest 90.06 per cent voter turnout. Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse said, "We have a total of 278 polling stations. Arrangements have been made to carry out free and fair elections. Out of the 278 stations, 114 are hyper-sensitive and 99 are sensitive polling stations." Queues were seen at polling stations since early morning with many elderly voters among the first to cast their vote. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8

Indian Air Force to procure weapons worth Rs 2.5-3 trn in next 7-8 years

Chaudhari said the IAF was constantly monitoring the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), especially in eastern Ladakh

Dagga case shows why removing govt officers from service isn't easy

Compulsory retirement is part of a half-yearly exercise now for cases where govt wants to weed out officers, but without taking the disciplinary proceedings route

'World's highest international fashion show in Ladakh sets world record'

The world's highest motorable road at 19024 feet Umling-la' scored another world record by successfully hosting the world's highest international fashion show, an official said on Saturday. The fashion show, held on Thursday under Vibrant Ladakh festival, saw participation of international models from 14 countries, the official said. He said the event was organised by Union Territory Ladakh Administration and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, in partnership with Ladakh Art and Entertainment Alliance and supported by Indian Army and Border Roads Organisation. With the participation of international models including two Ladakhi models, the Umling-la fashion show aimed at symbolising and promoting the vibrant culture of India espoused in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' and the highly valued GI tagged Pashmina of Ladakh, all rooted in the promoting sustainable and responsible tourism, the official said. He said the costumes donned by the models introduced the colour palet

Shah to chair 31st meeting of Northern Zonal Council in Amritsar on Sep 26

Northern Zonal Council comprises the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territories of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Chandigarh

Bharat Mata voice of every Indian, will amplify voice of Ladakh: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said Bharat Mata is the voice of every Indian and asserted that he will do everything he can to amplify the voice of Ladakh, as he shared a video of his recent visit to the Union territory on a motorcycle. Sharing the video on X, Rahul Gandhi said his father Rajiv Gandhi had once told him that Pangong Tso Lake was one of the most beautiful places on Earth. "Since then, I have always yearned to go to Ladakh, and as I continued on my Bharat Jodo Yatra, I thought, what better way to visit Ladakh than on a motorcycle!" Gandhi said. A journey has all kinds of discoveries, and the most incredible one was the love and humility of the Ladakhi people, the former Congress chief said in his post in Hindi. Their empathy and wisdom about Ladakh is unmatched and any plan for the future development of the region must be based on their input, he asserted. "Ladakh is one of India's crown jewels and one of the world's most important strategic locations. It b

Defence min launches 90 BRO infrastructure projects worth over Rs 2,900 cr

Since 2021, 295 infrastructure projects, valued at Rs 8,000 crore have been completed by BRO

Ladakh border residents demand development of tourist spots, internet

Border residents of Ladakh have demanded development of tourist destinations, internet connectivity and allocation of land for the construction of rest houses to support their livelihood. The demands were made during a recent visit of Atal Dulloo, the secretary of border management in the Union home ministry, to Chushul, Maan, Merak, Urgo, and Tangtse villages in the Pangong area. Dulloo visited these villages to assess the progress of Vibrant Villages Programme, a centrally sponsored scheme, an official spokesman said on Monday. The programme, launched on February 15 this year, is aimed at comprehensive development of select villages in 46 blocks in 19 districts in the northern border in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and the UT of Ladakh. Accompanied by Additional Director General of ITBP Manoj Singh Rawat and senior security and civil administration officials from Ladakh, Dulloo over the weekend engaged in discussions with members of ...

Ladakh issues new notification for hill council polls, after SC verdict

As per the previous notification the Union Territory of Ladakh had announced that elections to the LAHDC was scheduled to be held on September 10 and counting to be held on September 14

SC sets aside August 5 notification for Ladakh hill council polls

The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the August 5 notification of the election department of the Union Territory of Ladakh for the hill council polls and ordered issuance of a fresh election schedule within a week. Holding that the National Conference is entitled to the 'plough' symbol, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah also dismissed the plea by the Ladakh administration opposing the allotment of the symbol to the party and imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on it. The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court had dismissed the Ladakh administration's plea against a single bench order allowing NC candidates to contest the upcoming polls for the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, on the party symbol. The Ladakh administration had approached a division bench of the high court against the single bench order of August 9 which directed the National Conference to approach the office of the election department of the administration of ...

SC set aside notification for Ladakh hill council polls, orders new process

The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the August 5 notification of the election department for the Ladakh hill council polls and directed the issuance of fresh notification within seven days for it. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah also dismissed the plea by the Ladakh administration opposing the allotment of 'plough' symbol to the National Conference and imposed a cost of Rs 1 lakh on it. The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court had dismissed the Ladakh administration's plea against a single bench order allowing NC candidates to contest the upcoming polls for the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, on the party symbol. The administration had approached a division bench of the high court against the single bench order of August 9 which directed the NC to approach the office of the Election Department of the administration of Ladakh to notify the reserved symbol 'plough' already allotted to for in the polls. According to

CM Mann hands over Rs 1 cr cheque to kin of army jawan killed in Ladakh

The Chief Minister also announced suitable jobs for the kin of the jawans on compassionate grounds according to the policy

Will raise issues of people of Ladakh in Parliament: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday vowed to raise in Parliament the issues of the people of Ladakh as he alleged that their "political voice" was being suppressed and the promises of the central government on employment had turned out to be "false". Gandhi has been touring the Union Territory of Ladakh for the past week. "I went to every corner of Ladakh and talked to the youth, mothers and sisters and the poor. There are other leaders who only talk about their 'Mann Ki Baat'. I want to listen to your 'Mann Ki Baat'," the former Congress leader said in an apparent swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio broadcast. "China has snatched away thousands of kilometers of India's land. The prime minister is lying by denying this and every person in Ladakh knows this," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. He said the main issues of Ladakh are that the political voice of the people here is being "suppressed", all the promises of the government on employment have turned out

Amid Modi-Xi's thrust on de-escalation, officers conclude talks in Ladakh

Senior Army officers of India and China have concluded their six-day-long marathon talks to resolve the long-pending issues in the Depsang Pains and Demchok area

Ladakhis concerned over grazing land 'taken over by China': Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that not an inch of the land in Ladakh has been taken over by China is not true. The people of Ladakh are concerned about their grazing land "taken over by the Chinese Army," Gandhi, who is on a tour of Ladakh, said after paying tributes to his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his birth anniversary. All the people (in Ladakh) say the Chinese Army has intruded and taken over our grazing land and they (people) cannot go there now. They are clearly saying this even as Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) says that not an inch of land was taken over which is not based on truth, Gandhi told reporters. The Congress leader said he was planning to visit Ladakh during his Bharat Jodo Yatra but had to abandon the plan due to some logistical reasons. So I thought let me come and do a detailed tour of Ladakh. I came to Pangong and am going to visit Nubra and Kargil. The idea is to listen to w