The 74th Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm and patriotic fervour here at Khree Sultan Chow Sports Stadium, Bemathang, Kargil.

Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Kargil, Feroz Ahmad Khan unfurled the National Flag.

While congratulating people on Republic Day, CEC recalled the contribution of makers of the Indian Constitution and supreme sacrifices of national heroes who laid down their lives for the country. He hailed the services of the Army, paramilitary forces and police in guarding the frontiers in harsh conditions and for maintaining peace, order and internal security in the country.

Khan  said this constitution, enacted on January 26, 1950, gave the country the status of an independent democracy. He said this day inspires us to take our country to new heights of development and prosperity through patriotism, sacrifice and tireless efforts.

He said these were the virtues for which our great leaders sacrificed their lives for a better tomorrow and gave us a chance to breathe in a free and prosperous country.

While highlighting the developmental activities in Kargil district, he said, LAHDC is committed for development of the district so that it can set new heights in future adding that they are making each and every sector stable and it is yielding encouraging results.

CEC said the development process in health, PWD, sports, rural development etc. is going in full swing and many vital decisions are being taken to develop other sectors as well. He reiterated that health sector is one of the priority sectors of the LAHDC. Therefore to provide better health facilities to people, the New District Hospital Kurbathang Kargil having a capacity of 300 beds was made functional at a cost of Rs 40 crore and 37 lakhs.

Further, to equip the district hospital with modern medical equipment, a low-radiation CT Scan machine has also been installed at a cost of Rs 6 crore and 90 lakhs.

Khan further said in order to increase the manpower in hospitals doctors and paramedical staffs were appointed under the National Health Mission (NHM) scheme while Consultant Surgeons and Anaesthetists were also appointed along with the allied manpower to carry out routine surgeries at Community Health Centre, Sankoo.

Moreover, the construction works of Health and Wellness Centres at Sangra, Tacha, Tungri, Skanbo Thing and Nun-Amche have been completed under the CAPEX budget.

The CEC said LAHDC is committed to improve the quality of education in the district and this year, Council Model Schools were built in various blocks by developing the infrastructure of 26 schools at a cost of Rs 4 cr.He said in these schools, 50 percent of the expenditure has been provided from the District Plan and 50 percent from the Councilor’s Funds.

Apart from this, Khan said 6 more buses have been purchased at a cost of Rs 1 cr to provide better transport facilities to children, thus providing transport facilities for 12 Higher Secondary Schools. Notably, Rs 9 crore and 20 lakhs has been dedicated for expanding the infrastructure of schools in the district. Hill Council has provided laptops at a cost of Rs 15.5 lakh on 75 percent subsidy to meritorious students of 10th and 12th at block level of the district.

While talking about the agriculture sector, Khan said most of the population of the district is engaged in agriculture and allied sectors and it plays an important source of income. He said through different schemes, 422 pack houses have been constructed at a cost of Rs 8 cr and 75 lakhs to provide better facilities for training and packing fruits for the farmers. Apart from this, 2,439 polycarbonate sheets and UV films of Rs 73 lakh and 28 thousand are being distributed to deserving farmers to increase vegetable production in the district. Khan said seeds of high varieties of Rs 58 lakh and 67 thousand are being distributed to the farmers and it is aimed to improve the vegetable produce locally.

Khan expressed happiness on the fact that for the first time in the history of Kargil, apricot was successfully exported from the district and 20 tons of fresh apricots of Rs 32 lakhs were delivered to different markets of the country as well as outside the country.

The CEC said that after UT Ladakh's formation, Kargil Subordinate Service Recruitment Board (KSSRB) has recruited nearly 400 non-gazetted posts. He also said exams for filling 797 vacancies were conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and the final results of which are expected soon.

Apart from this, Khan said the Central Government and the UT Administration need to start the recruitment process as soon as possible by forming a procedure for filling up the vacant gazetted posts in various departments.

Moreover, the CEC said a notification has been issued recently to fill 451 vacancies of district-level posts and the examination date will also be announced soon. Further, he informed that the KSSRB has launched an online portal under the CSR scheme to facilitate the submission of application forms.

He also taled about R&B sector, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) works, Sports and other departments.

CEC also congratulated Shahnaz Parveen for winning the gold medal in the recently held All India University Taekwondo Championship. He also congratulated students who qualified this year's NEET and JEE mains exams, especially Nawaz Ali of Trespone, who secured first position in NEET with 631 marks and all the state awardees in various fields of the district.

The CEC informed that at present, the construction works on Zojila tunnel on both Minamarg and Baltal sides is in full swing despite severe cold. The construction work of 2,660 meters from Minamarg side and 2640 meters from Baltal side has been completed. He thanked Central Government, especially the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gatkare for continuing the work on the tunnel with speed and hoped that the tunnel will be completed within the stipulated time.

CEC expressed sincere gratitude to the Central Government, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who approved a generous budget for the overall development of Ladakh. He also expressed gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh, RK Mathur and the UT Administration for their special support for the developmental works of Kargil.

Meanwhile, colorful cultural programs were also presented by student of various government and private schools. Mementos and certificates were distributed among employees of various departments, meritorious students, members of NGOs, volunteers, and individuals for their extraordinary performances and contribution to public welfare. Prizes were also distributed among the participants of the march past and cultural programs.