Culture, identity of Kargil will be safeguarded: Governor

Tribune News Service

Kargil, August 30

Governor Satya Pal Malik visited Kargil on Friday and assured a delegation who met him that steps would be taken to safeguard culture and identity of the people.

This was his first visit to the region after the formation of the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The Governor interacted with members of the Joint Action Committee of Kargil, which is opposing bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir state and grant of UT status to Ladakh.

He was accompanied by Adviser KK Sharma, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and the Principal Secretary, Home, Shaleen Kabra.

“No injustice will be done to people at any point in time. All steps will be taken to protect the identity, culture, heritage, language and social values of the people of Kargil,” the Governor told the delegation.

The Governor assured the delegation that the entire nation admires and values the patriotism of the people of Kargil and the sacrifices they have made for the nation.

The Governor mentioned that a few of the issues raised by them were in effect modifications of the State Reorganisation Act and these would be conveyed to the Union government.

“The National Commission for STs will be asked to visit the area, discuss all matters and propose measures for ensuring adequate provisions for protecting the interests of tribal areas,” he said.

Governor’s assurances

• The LAHDC Act, as amended in 2018, will continue even under the Union Territory.
• The Act makes the Ladakh councils the most powerful councils in the country and will provide adequate scope for the people to fulfil their development aspirations.
• The arrangement of HODs, created recently during the formation of the Ladakh Division, would continue equitably between Leh and Kargil.
• Distribution of funds between the two districts will be equitable. This will ensure that both cities develop in tandem.
• As a UT, which will be almost 100 per cent tribal, protections to tribals can be ensured under various provisions of the Constitution.