Kargil officials’ absence from key meeting sparks row

A controversy has arisen over the absence of Kargil district's department heads at a crucial meeting regarding job creation in the newly carved districts of Ladakh. The Hill Development Council of Leh (LAHDC) convened the meeting on Saturday, aimed at discussing the creation of employment opportunities in the region’s newly formed districts, but the Kargil representatives were notably absent, sparking anger and frustration within the Leh Council.

Currently, Ladakh comprises two districts, but the central government announced the creation of five additional districts last year, with work still underway. One of the key objectives behind these new districts is the generation of new employment opportunities for the locals.

Chairman of LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson, expressed his disappointment at the absence of Kargil’s departmental heads, stating that it was “unfortunate” and unacceptable. He emphasized that public representatives have a right to know how the new posts in the districts are being allocated. Gyalson further alleged that the Kargil administration might have instructed these officials to avoid attending the meeting, warning of repercussions if this claim proves true.

He also made it clear that he would raise the issue with the Union Home Minister. “A Directorate should work across all of Ladakh, not just within a single district. If this is the case, the heads of departments based in Leh should not be allowed to travel outside their jurisdiction either,” Gyalson asserted.

The newly created districts in Ladakh—Nubra, Changthang, Sham, Zanskar, and Drass, are at the centre of the discussions, particularly concerning the allocation of staffing and resource needs.

During the meeting, officials from various departments briefed the Chairman of LAHDC on the proposed positions for each district, highlighting the specific needs of sectors such as health, agriculture, handloom, and other vital areas. The Chairman thoroughly reviewed these requirements and requested detailed explanations from all officials concerned to ensure that the proposed positions were in line with the actual needs of each district.

Gyalson also instructed that proposals for staffing be made according to the existing blocks in the region to ensure a more systematic distribution of resources. He urged the representatives to revisit their proposals to ensure they meet the actual demands of the districts. Additionally, he asked all representatives to submit their original staffing requirements to the council committee for further evaluation and approval.

The meeting was attended by several key officials, including the Director of Hospitality & Protocol, Director of Industries & Commerce, Director of Health Services, Chief Engineer PWD/R&B, Chief Engineer PDD, and other district-level officers representing a variety of sectors such as agriculture, education, animal husbandry, social welfare and tourism