Unfurling and saluting the national flag, Leh celebrated the 73rd Republic Day at Pologround.

The day progressed with the parades of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Ladakh Police, IRP-25 Battalion of Ladakh Police, National Cadet Corps (NCC), ex-Servicemen of Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, and band parties.

Addressing the gathering, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur said that the Administration is making a continuous effort to empower elected bodies to exercise their powers as per the law and the constitution so that they can become a prime mover for the development of Ladakh. He said that the administration is committed to making elected bodies equal partners in the planning process of the development of Ladakh, including preparing Ladakh Vision 2050, preparing a roadmap for the development of Ladakh through Development Conclaves, and organising continuous training for the elected representatives from Ladakh.

LG Mathur also stated that UT Administration is improving infrastructure for the smooth function of the gram panchayat and Block Development Councils and strengthening the capability of the Councils by increasing their manpower.

“The number of elected representatives, including both the Councils, Municipal Councils, and Panchayati Raj Institutions, is above 1,700. We are trying to strengthen the Grassroots democracy in Ladakh with their help. I am sure that the strengthening of the Grassroots democracy and their collective decisions would provide the roadmap for the development of Ladakh,” he added.

He highlighted the achievements of the Administration in various sectors such as health, education, power, infrastructure, telecommunications, tourism, and sports. He also spoke on the issue of employment in Ladakh and stated that around 500-550 jobs have been provided through Hill Councils after the formation of UT and more than 600 jobs were provided through outsourcing. He said that the government-sanctioned posts are not being filled through outsourcing nor it is possible.

Stating that the youth in Ladakh is among the best and brightest in the country, LG Mathur said that Ladakhi youth have the scope to set up enterprises in the primary sector through entrepreneurship. He stated that Ladakhi youth are working in various fields such as sea buckthorn production and pashmina and also establishing new units.

LG Mathur also appealed to the public to actively take part in the Jal Jeevan Mission to help achieve the target of providing functional household tap connections (FHTCs) to the entire Ladakh by 15 August 2022. He shared that about 30% of households have been provided with FHTCs in different villages of Ladakh to date.
 
 Cultural troupes of Ladakh Academy of Art Culture and Languages (LAACL) from Leh and Kargil districts performed songs and dances.