Mathur takes oath in Ladakh

Tribune News Service

Jammu/Leh, October 31

Former Defence Secretary Radha Krishna Mathur was today sworn in as the first Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) of the Union Territory of Ladakh, which came into existence after the bifurcation of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state.

Chief Justice of J&K High Court Geeta Mittal administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mathur at Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra in Leh.

The Commissioner-Secretary of Ladakh Affairs, Rigzin Samphel, who had been entrusted by the government for transition of Ladakh into UT, read out the warrant of appointment issued by President of India Ram Nath Kovind.

Mathur, a postgraduate in industrial engineering from the IIT, is a retired 1977-batch IAS officer of the Tripura cadre and retired as the Chief Information Commissioner of India (CIC) in November 2018 after attaining the age of 65.

He has served as the country’s Defence Secretary in 2015, Defence Production Secretary, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Secretary of Government of India and the Chief Secretary of Tripura.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Mathur was given a Guard of Honour at the venue by the Ladakh Police. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the presence of officials of Leh and Kargil Hill Councils, Army and paramilitary forces, religious leaders and Ladakh public.

The UT of Ladakh has been carved out from J&K state after the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35 A on August 5 this year.

Mathur, in his first comments, said he was happy that he was part of the fulfilment of long-pending demand of people. “Border areas have a lot of development activities to be implemented. Already the Government of India is implementing several programmes in the region. Priorities for Ladakh will be set in the new regime in consultation with the general public, intellectuals and Hill Councils,” he said.

He added that his experience in the backward areas and border areas in the capacity of Tripura Chief Secretary and as Defence Secretary would be useful.

Earlier in the day, the Union Home Ministry revoked the notification of December last year of imposition of the President’s rule in the undivided Jammu and Kashmir.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by galaxy of prominent citizens, including Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC, Leh, Gyal P Wangyal, CEC of LAHDC, Kargil, Feroz Ahmad Khan, Deputy Chairman LAHDC, Leh, Tsering Sandup, Executive Councillors from Leh and Kargil LAHDC, religious, political and social heads.

Senior officers from the administration, judiciary, Army and paramilitary forces were also present to witness the oath ceremony.