Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 3: Dr Sonam Dawa Lompo, newly elected Councilor from Thiksay was today unanimously elected as first ever Chief Executive Councilor (CEC) from BJP for Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh amidst joint show of strength by the PDP-BJP, whose leaders including Ministers and party presidents offered slew of measures for development of Ladakh.
The joint BJP-PDP rally at Polo Ground, Leh came just four days ahead of another joint rally by the Alliance partners at Sher-i-Kashmir stadium in Srinagar, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed among other leaders of the two parties.
Official sources told the Excelsior that prominent PDP and BJP leaders including PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and Education Minister Naeem Akhter, BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav, State president Jugal Kishore Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, BJP MP from Ladakh Thupstan Chhewang, Cooperatives Minister Chering Dorjey and other BJP leaders including Sat Sharma CA addressed a gathering of the people at Polo Ground, Leh this afternoon and declared that Ladakh will undergo massive development in the months to come under the PDP-BJP Alliance Government.
The Ministers and leaders of the two parties promised all weather connectivity to Ladakh after construction of Zojila tunnel, promotion of all tourist spots of Ladakh and its development on all other fronts. They promised to further empower the Council so that it could take developmental works identified by the people of Leh themselves.
“It was Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who had empowered the Council during his previous stint as the Chief Minister and he will further empower it,” Mehbooba announced. The Council will get adequate funding from the Government, she declared.
Dr Nirmal Singh said Union Surface and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has already approved construction of Zojila tunnel. With the construction of tunnel, Ladakh will get all weather connectivity. He said that the State Government will take all steps to promote tourism in Ladakh so that the people working with the tourism industry were benefited.
“The Council will get more funds for all-round development of Leh,” Dr Singh said.
Naeem Akhter and Chering Dorjey also addressed the gathering and assured development of Ladakh at par with two other regions of the State-Jammu and Kashmir.
Ram Madhav, BJP Incharge J&K Avinash Rai Khanna, Jugal Kishore Sharma and other senior BJP leaders were also present at the dais.
Prior to the joint rally by the PDP and BJP in Leh, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Leh, Rajinder Sapru administered oath to all 26 newly elected Councilors of the LAHDC, Leh.
During the path ceremony, CEC LAHDC Kargil Haji Hanifa and Congress MLA from Nobra Deldan Namgail were also present.
Later, Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Prasanna Ramaswamy, who is Election Authority for the LAHDC Leh, conducted proceedings of the CEC election in the LAHDC Leh premises in which BJP first time Councilor from Thiksay Dr Sonam Dawa, was unanimously elected as the new CEC.
BJP Councilor from Kungyam Dorjay Mutup proposed the name of Dr Dawa, which was seconded by Gyal Punchuk Wangyal, party Councilor from Sakti. Both of them along with Lobzang Nyantak (Upper Leh Councilor) were among the front runners for post of the CEC as they had won the election for second time.
However, the dais was turned in favour of Dr Dawa as he happened to be district president of the BJP and was also prominent doctor (former Chief Medical officer) in Leh.
Dawa would now nominate four Councilors as Executive Councilors for Leh, Incharge of different departments, who will have the rank of Deputy Ministers. Dawa will have the rank of the Cabinet Minister.
Prior to the nomination of Executive Councilors, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who holds charge of Ladakh Affairs Department, will nominate four Councilors to the LAHDC Leh. BJP has won 18 out of 26 seats in the LAHDC Leh for which election was held while Congress got 5, NC 2 and Independent 1. PDP had drawn blank in the election. Four nominated Councilors will also be members of the PDP and BJP as the two parties were ruling the State.
Addressing the rally in Leh, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh said that the development of the state has been carried on equitable basis since the coalition Government took over and the magnitude of the developmental works has been historic.
“It’s a historic moment which needs to be celebrated as festival of democracy and the people of Ladakh have once again proved it with their mandate,” he said and maintained “J&K State is the crown of India and Ladakh is the precious gems in the crown.
“The people should also contribute their bit in ensuring the proper implementation of various welfare programmes and initiatives by actively involving themselves in the formulation of various programmes in order to make them need based and area specific” he said and maintained that people can feel the impact on the ground. He said that we have also ensured that the level of accountability is increased and in this regard the necessary measures have also been undertaken.
Addressing the gathering, Mehbooba Mufti congratulated the people of Ladakh on taking the correct decision by posing their faith in favour of State and Centre Government. “We will stand by the faith you have shown and this election result has completed the Government in the State,” she asserted.
Making a mention of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, she said that he has the prime role in giving powers to LAHDC and to unite Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh ensuring equal share and fulfillment of demands as per specific needs. She highlighted his endeavour in combating corruption, unemployment and to provide basic amenities with education and women health on priority.
Ensuring coordination and understanding between the coalition partners with common agenda of bringing peace and development in the state, Ms. Mufti said that with the newly formed council of BJP in Leh district, the Government will address all the issues of the region and make Ladakh a top tourist destination.
Minister for Education, Naeem Akhter while speaking on the occasion said that the Government is committed to ensure upgradation of the educational infrastructure in the State. He said that we would ensure the deliverance of quality education in every remote hamlet of the district.
He also announced making seven Government schools in Leh district model schools soon. He also declared about opening of new department of Geology and a skill development section in degree college, Leh. He said present Government will set an example of transparent and honest governance.
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