Page 7 - Ladakh

Ladakh council's representation, decision-making powers retained: Govt

The democratic representation and decision-making powers of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) have been retained following the formation of the Union Territory of Ladakh in 2019, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. These LAHDCs continue to exercise executive powers over different subjects within their respective districts, the government also said in response to a query regarding the extension of tribal area status to the Union Territory (UT). The LAHDCs in Leh and Kargil function as District Planning and Development Boards and prepare plans for different programmes and policies. They reflect the demands and aspirations of the local population, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey said in response to a question by Congress MPs Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka and Tanuj Punia. Ulaka and Punia had asked whether the government intends to extend the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution to Ladakh, and the reasons behin

Why Ladakh was chosen for India’s first Mars and Moon research station

Ladakh has been chosen as the location for India’s first Mars and Moon analogue research station, where scientists can simulate activities for Moon and Mars missions. Watch the video to know why.

Why does the Chinese Pangong Tso bridge pose a challenge for India?

China has completed and operationalised a bridge connecting the north and south banks of the Pangong Tso lake in Eastern Ladakh

ED undertakes first-ever searches in Ladakh in cryptocurrency fraud case

In its first ever raids in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted searches as part of its money laundering probe linked to a cryptocurrency fraud case in which investors lost more than Rs 7 crore worth of deposits, officials said. The agency's zonal office here raided at least six premises in Leh town of Ladakh, Jammu in J-K and Sonipat in Haryana in the case against A R Mir and others. It is alleged that 2,508 investors deposited more than Rs 7.34 crore in a fake cryptocurrency business in the name of "Emollient Coin Limited". They, however, did not get any returns or currency back, and these funds were laundered by the business' promoters to purchase land assets in Jammu. The money laundering case stems from a March 2020 FIR registered in Leh and some other complaints filed in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) against Mir and Ajay Kumar Choudhary. Police in Leh in their FIR stated that an inquiry was conducted by a committ

Ladakh chosen for India's Mars, Moon research site to boost space program

Ladakh's cold, arid desert and rocky terrain mimics Martian and Lunar landscapes, making it ideal for simulating extraterrestrial conditions

When flights couldn't take off in Leh because air was too thin: Explained

The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, one of the highest in the world, faces challenges due to mountain winds that necessitate flights taking off or landing in the morning hours

PM Modi launches Shinkun La Tunnel construction; how will it help troops

Despite harsh weather conditions and challenging topography, building infrastructure along the China border has remained a top priority for the central government

Kargil Vijay Diwas: PM Modi to visit Ladakh on 25th anniversary of 1999 war

Kargil Vijay Diwas: PM Modi will pay a visit to the Kargil War Memorial in Ladakh to commemorate the 25th anniversary celebrations to mark India's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 war

What's behind the Centre's big love for Ladakh in Union Budget 2024?

The government's increased budget allocations for Ladakh and additional allocations for various central expenditures have focused on the overall development of the region over the years

Union Budget 2024: Budget allocation for Ladakh rises by 32% to Rs 5,958

The Centre has allocated Rs 5,958 crore for the Union Territory of Ladakh in the Union Budget 2024-25 announced on Tuesday, a massive 32 per cent rise from last year's allotment of Rs 4,500 crore. The Ladakh UT, which was carved out of Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, has received Rs 2,035.49 crore for establishment expenditure of the Centre to meet its secretariat-related expenses and establishment of other departments and offices. The Budget, announced by by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has allocated to Ladakh Rs 3,922.51 crore for other Central sector expenditure, including agriculture and allied schemes, water supply and sanitation, rural development, power, forestry and wildlife, medical and public health, and education among other departments.

PM Modi to visit Ladakh's Drass on July 26 to mark 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas

LG Mishra asked the concerned officials to complete all necessary arrangements on time.

'PM Modi to attend 25th anniversary Kargil Vijay Diwas on Jul 26 in Ladakh'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Ladakh on July 26 to attend the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, an official said on Sunday, as Lt Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra reviewed arrangements for the visit. The grand celebrations to mark the 'Rajat Jyanti' of India's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 war are scheduled to be conducted at Drass in Kargil district from July 24 to 26. Mishra held a meeting at the Lt Governor's secretariat here to discuss the arrangements for the PM's visit to the Kargil War Memorial at Drass, an official spokesman said. The Lt Governor informed the meeting that Modi would be visiting the memorial on July 26 and attend the 25th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas. The meeting discussed security and reception at the Drass helipad, necessary arrangements for his motorcade, the procedure for the wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial, interaction with war widows and preparation of the green room at the helipad, the spokesman said. He said th

Two soldiers lose lives while undertaking critical repair work in Ladakh

The Indian Army said that it regrets the loss of the brave soldier deployed in Ladakh

BRO seeks LG's intervention to complete work on border roads in Ladakh

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has sought intervention of the Ladakh Lt Governor Brigadier (Retd) B D Mishra to complete several border road projects after the work was suspended on the directions of the wildlife department in the Union territory, an official said on Wednesday. Chief Engineer, Project Vijayak, Brigadier Vinay Bahl and Chief Engineer, Project Himank, Brigadier Vishal Srivastava raised the issue of the suspended work with the Lt Governor after they called on him here, the official said. Briefing Mishra about the construction of new roads along with the widening of existing roads in the border areas of Ladakh, the delegation informed him about the clearance taken by them from the wildlife board for the construction and widening of these roads. Brig Bahl informed about the direction received from the wildlife department of Ladakh to stop the construction and widening of the road. He apprised the Lt Governor of the issues faced by them in completing the said project ..

Take nation into confidence on border situation at LAC: Kharge to govt

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday reiterated his party's demand that the government must take the nation into confidence on the situation at the border with China. Kharge shared a media report on X which cited satellite images to claim that China's military is digging in for the long haul in the area around Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh, having constructed underground bunkers to store weapons and fuel and hardened shelters for armoured vehicles at a key base in the region. "How can China build a military base near Pangong Tso on land which was under Indian occupation until May 2020," Kharge said. While there was no immediate reaction from the BJP or the Centre on Kharge's post, the ruling party and government have in the past rejected all allegations on the issue by the Congress. India has asserted with China the importance of achieving "complete disengagement" from the remaining areas in eastern Ladakh for restoring peace and tranquillity. In his post, Kharge said,

Five soldiers including JCO swept away while crossing river in Ladakh

Five soldiers of the Army are feared drowned after they were swept away while crossing a river in a T-72 tank near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Nyoma-Chushul area in Ladakh early Saturday, officials said. They said the incident occurred near Mandir Morh, 148 kilometres from here, during an exercise around 1 am. The T-72 tank with five soldiers on board sank due to flash floods while they were crossing the river, the officials said. A rescue operation has been launched. Further details are awaited.

68% of candidates in J-K's 5 Lok Sabha seats polled fewer than NOTA votes

Sixty-eight per cent of the total 100 candidates in the fray on Jammu and Kashmir's five Lok Sabha seats polled fewer than None Of The Above (NOTA) votes, according to Election Commission data. Cumulately, 34,788 voters pressed the NOTA button in the five seats, showing their rejection of the candidates fielded by parties. The maximum 12,938 NOTA votes were polled in the Udhampur constituency of Jammu region, a seat retained by BJP candidate Jitendra Singh. There were 11 other candidates in the fray from Udhampur, and NOTA polled more votes than nine of them. In the neighbouring Jammu seat, 4,645 voters pressed the NOTA button, which is more than votes individually garnered by 18 candidates. There were 22 candidates in the fray from the seat which has been retained by the BJP's Jugal Kishore. In the Srinagar seat, the number of NOTA votes was 5,998. There were 24 candidates in the fray from the constituency and most of them -- 18 -- got fewer votes than NOTA. In the Anantnag-Rajo

Over 400 Agniveer recruits join army at passing out parade in Ladakh

As many as 402 well trained Agniveer recruits were inducted into the Ladakh Scouts regiment of the Army at a passing out parade here on Tuesday, a defence spokesperson said. The ceremony conducted in consonance with the highest traditions of the Army was reviewed by Chief of Staff, headquarters 14 Corps, Maj Gen Dinesh Kumar Singh and was attended by a spectrum of distinguished military officers, civil dignitaries and parents of Agniveers, the spokesperson said. He said six young Agniveers were awarded medals during the parade for their outstanding achievements in training. 'Gaurav Padak' was presented to the proud parents whose wards have joined the regiment as Agniveers, the spokesperson said, adding that it was indeed a proud moment for the kin of the recruits, who had arrived from far flung areas to witness the grand ceremony. In his address to the young recruits, Maj Gen Singh congratulated them for the impressive parade and urged them to devote their life in service to the .

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Independent candidate wins Ladakh constituency

Independent candidate Mohmad Haneefa won the Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency, defeating his nearest Congress rival Tsering Namgyal by a margin of 27,906 votes, Returning officer Santosh Sukhadeve said. Haneefa secured 65,303 votes against his Congress rival's 37,397 votes. The BJP's Tashi Gyalson bagged 31,956 votes in the triangular contest, Sudhadeve told reporters. Haneefa, a former district president of the National Conference, is the fourth independent to win the seat since it was constituted in 1967. The seat was won by Independents in 1989, 2004 and 2009 general elections. The BJP won the seat in the 2014 general elections and retained it in 2019. The Congress has won the seat the maximum six times, while the National Conference emerged victorious from the seat twice in the past.

Phase 5 of Lok Sabha elections 2024: What was the voter turnout at 11 am?

In the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, 49 out of 543 constituencies went to polls in six states and two Union Territories. Votes will be counted on June 4