Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Advisor for Ladakh, conducted a thorough review of the ongoing Vibrant Village Program in 35 border villages of Changthang on February 10.

The program is dedicated to achieving comprehensive development in these villages, focusing on various key areas such as livelihood generation through the promotion of agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and cultural heritage. Additionally, the interventions include skill development, entrepreneurship, co-operative societies for managing livelihood opportunities, cultivation of medicinal plants/herbs, road connectivity, housing, village infrastructure, energy (including renewable sources), television and telecom connectivity, and financial inclusion.

Deputy Commissioner, Leh Santosh Sukhadeve apprised the meeting of the total number of projects submitted to MHA for approval for the new financial year and gave details of the development in saturation of the various GoI schemes in these villages.

Advisor Dr. Kotwal discussed in detail the schemes implemented and the challenges faced in achieving 100 percent saturation, especially in some of the schemes such as Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. He gave instructions to the concerned department to take all steps to saturate the scheme in the next ten days. Similar instructions were given to the Rural Development Department to clear the few pending cases under PM Awas Yojana and achieve 100 percent saturation of the scheme.

Dr Kotwal, while discussing the projects approved under Samagra Shiksha, urged the concerned department to initiate the tendering of the works so that physical works can begin as soon as the working season starts in Ladakh. These include new residential hostels/upgrades in schools at Koyul, Tsaga, Korzok, Chushul, Durbuk, etc.   

Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar, Commissioner Secretary Padma Angmo, CCF Sajad Mufti, Secretary Yatinder M Maralkar, and other concerned officials attended the meeting.