Lahaul-Spiti MLA aims to generate self-employment

Dipender Manta

Three-time MLA from Lahaul-Spiti constituency, Ram Lal Markanda (52) feels there is much more to be done for the development of his constituency.

Born in Madgran village of Lahaul & Spiti, Markanda did his graduation from Government Degree College, Dharamsala, and Doctorate in public administration from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla.

Ram Lal Markanda joined the politics in his college days and remained on various posts. He remained the joint secretary of state NSUI 1989-93; senior vice-president state NSUI 1996-97; general secretary HP Youth Congress; president Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC), district Lahaul and Spiti; joint secretary All-India Tribal Association; was president Research Scholar Association, and Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla.

He was elected as an MLA for the first time in 1998 as a candidate of HVC, a political outfit run by former Union Minister Pandit Sukh Ram.

During that time, he remained the minister of state for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (Independent charge), minister of state for Animal Husbandry (Independent charge) and was given the additional charge of the PWD (attached with the CM) in 2001. He resigned from the council of ministers in 2003.

Later, he joined the BJP and in 2007 won the election on a BJP ticket, but failed to get any ministerial post. During 2012 Assembly election, he lost the political battle against Congress candidate Ravi Thakur.

Last year, the BJP gave him a party ticket in the state Assembly elections and he successfully defeated his arch rival from the Congress Ravi Thakur with a margin of 1,478 votes.

Taking to the Himachal Tribune, Agriculture Minister Ram Lal Markanda said: “There is a vast potential to explore in the tourism sector of Lahaul & Spiti, which is blessed with nature. After the opening of the Rohtang tunnel for traffic movement, the access for tourists in the valley would be possible round the year. So, I am focusing over preparing a master plan for the district along with the state government to generate self-employment opportunities for the people at their doorstep.”

“Apart from this, horticulture and agriculture sectors are the main source of livelihood to the people of the district. So, my focus will be to facilitate farmers of the district with modern techniques to enhance the quality of agriculture and horticulture produce,” he said.

He said the people of the district lead a harsh life because of poor road connectivity, water, electricity and telecommunication facility, especially during the winter season. He said his focus would be to improve telecommunication service, power supply and potable water facility to the residents of the district. The villages, which are yet to be connected with road facility would get the facility soon, he said.

Ram Lal Markanda (52)

Party: BJP

Qualification: PhD in public administration 

Constituency: Lahaul Spiti 

Political background

• Remained joint secretary state NSUI 1989-93; senior vice-president state NSUI 1996-97; general secretary HP Youth Congress; president Himachal Vikas Congress, district Lahaul and Spiti; joint secretary All-India Tribal Association, president Research Scholar Association, and HPU, Shimla
• Was elected as an MLA for the first time in 1998 as a candidate of HVC
• Later, he joined the BJP and in 2007. Defeated his arch rival Congress candidate Ravi Thakur with a margin of 1,478 votes last year

Focus: To explore tourism in Lahaul Spiti, generate self-employment opportunities for people and to facilitate farmers with modern techniques, improve telecommunication service, power supply and potable water facility