With patriotism and dedication, unfurling and saluting the tricolor, Leh celebrated 69th Republic Day on January 26 at Pologround Leh.

Dr. Sonam Dawa CEC said, “India got Independence after an effort and sacrifice of many leaders and the constitution drafted on this day by Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar ensures equality and security for every citizen. The responsibility lies to each one of us to value and respect the constitution and serve the nation”.

Highlighting the major achievements and development activities carried out in the district in the past years, Dr. Sonam Dawa said, “To connect the region which remains cut off from the nation in winter months, the long-standing demand of Zojila tunnel got sanctioned and the work on which will start with the onset of this season. The Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line work is also in progress to further strengthen and improve the connectivity of Ladakh. Also, ₹ 200 crore works on Kushok Bakula Airport terminal is started.”

Expressing dissatisfaction over the poor telecom services in the region, CEC  said that effort is being made to improve the network and in the coming day's new telecom service ’JIO’ will also be introduced.

He expressed happiness and gratitude to the State Government on implementing 7th Pay Commission from this year with 10 percent Special Duty Allowances for the State Govt. employees working in Ladakh. And to sanction Women Police Station and IRP Battalion for the Leh district to safeguard women right and security.

Speaking about the power sector development, “To generate sufficient power in the region, work on 25 MW Hydel Power projects each at Tirisha and Shayok is in progress.  Besides, planning on 20 MW Solar Power Plant at Taru-thang and 11 more major and minor power projects at different places are in progress”, he added. 

 

Dr. Sonam Dawa also appreciated the effort and dedication of teaching fraternity in the field of education because of which the result of class 10th and 12th examination has improved.

This year pass percentage of class 10th examination raised from 54 to 59 percent whereas, class 12th percentage improved from 53 to 66 percent.

 

Talking about the health sector achievement, Dr. Sonam Dawa informed that equipment worth ₹ 3 crores has been introduced in SNM hospital to ensure the best treatment for the patient. He further assured to improve the health sector in the far-flung regions of the district in the days to come.

Road connectivity to Sumdha Chun in a record time of one and a half month at a very low cost, the launch of Solid Waste Management under Rurban in Solar Colony, Choglamsar are the commendable job and achievement of Rural Development Department which was also highlighted and appreciated. To take the idea of waste segregation and recycling further, Dr. Sonam Dawa said that the Council will also carry forward the similar initiative in Nubra and Pangong Lake.

He also talked about the upcoming project of Eco-Village for the villages situated nearby Pangong Lake under tourism sector which will be developed in a planned way to benefit the people of Changthang.

Giving a detail achievements and future plans of infrastructure development under PWD, he said that with the efforts of Council for the first time a project of Road Macadamization under PMDP was implemented in last working season under which a total length of 106 Km road in various villages of Leh district was macadamized. A total of 120 Km new motorable road was also constructed during last year.

“There are only five villages in Leh district which are yet to be connected with road, for which the Council has already submitted the project under NABARD. They have assured to connect these villages in next two years and with the accomplishment of this Leh will be the first district in the nation which has road connectivity to all the villages”, he added.

Dr. Sonam Dawa also talked about the submission of comprehensive project training of many streams of the district which are vulnerable to flood. The launch of three major bridges of Tar, Gera and Stakna over Indus River. Also, five more major bridges of Tsachuthang, Urbis, Rongo and Dha-Bema over Indus and Shayok rivers will be completed in 2018.

 

He assured to complete all the projects under UIDSSMT and AMRUT in Leh City by end of next working season.

Dr. Sonam Dawa urged people to be a responsible citizen and maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood among each other. 

 

The day progressed with the parades of Paramilitary, JKP, NCC, number of Govt. and private school children with the band party of JK Police, Govt. Boys Higher Sec, Leh and Mahabodhi School Choglamsar marching shoulder to shoulder and saluting the National flag. The parade commanders were Sonam Dorjay, Dy. Superintendent of Police, Mohammad Yousuf, Inspector.

Tableaux by Education, Health and Rural Development Department and different cultural programme were showcased.

For dedication, commendable achievement and contribution in the respective field, Stanzin Kunga and Lama Sonam Wangchuk for saving a life of an American tourist during her Trek in Ladakh, Stanzin Dojrey Gya, Filmmaker,  Smanla Tsering, Handicraft department worker,  Stray Animal Care & Management Centre Nang, Sheep Husbandry Dept. Leh and Rural Dev. Dept., Leh was awarded.