Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Sept 18: Div Com, Ladakh Saugat Biswas chaired a meeting to review issues pertaining to the Army in the districts of Kargil and Leh today.
DC, Leh Sachin Kumar, Brig Rakesh Manocha, Col Rahul Oberoi, Col Savit Sharma, Defence Estate Officer Irfan Hafiz, ADC to Div Com Tashi Dolma, Additional SP Suresh Kumar Chib, Tehsilder Leh, ARTO, Leh attended the meeting. DC Kargil, Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary, SP Kargil and other concerned officers also participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
Each land issue pertaining to the two districts as well as other issues of security were deliberated upon. Div Com directed the DCs to expedite the pending mutations for lands which are in lawful possession of the Army.
He urged the Army authorities and the Defence Estates Officer to do regular follow-up of pending land issues with the District Administrations.
The DCs were asked to ease the process of granting NOCs to the Army for construction purposes in Army land. Biswas also urged Brig. Rakesh Minocha to relax norms in favour of the civilians as much as possible while arbitrating with the civilians in matters of land and constructions.
Deputy Commissioner Kargil was asked to resolve the Lower Khurbathang dispute in coordination with the GOC 8 Mountain Div, Kargil in a timebound manner and reclaim the land from the Army at an earliest for civilian usage.
Div Com also directed the DCs to expedite and resolve maximum number of cases before the formal setup of Ladakh as UT. Both Army and District Administration were urged to have district level Civil – Military Liaison Meet on a monthly basis.
He asked the Defense Estates Officer to resolve all the cases in consultation with the Deputy Commissioners wherever Ex State Forces property is to be formally transferred to the Army.
Increased usage of satellite phone by tourists and also non-registration of overseas touristssometimes was pointed out by the Army. Div Com directed the Tourism Department to register all rented accommodations in the districts and share the information with the Superintendents of Police.
The SPs were asked to reconcile data of resthouses / homestays / hotels with the Tourism Department and ensure all overseas tourists are registered on the FRO on arrival.
It was decided that awareness on prohibition on the usage of satellite phones will be created by the Tourism and Police Departments.
Brigadier Manocha also assured that every effort will be made by the Army to ease out civilian day to day activities in the border areas and also proactive measures will be taken to ease restrictions coming in the way of developmental activities of the Government.
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