LEH: Former Member of Parliament (17th Lok Sabha) and former Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Leh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal met the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, at the LG Secretariat in Leh, submitting an official representation requesting that all tender works up to ₹20.00 Crore be reserved exclusively for contractors registered under the Administration of UT Ladakh.
The representation, forwarded on behalf of the Ladakh Contractors Association, Leh and other stakeholders highlights the urgent need to safeguard local contractors, ensure fair competition, and strengthen the regional economy and employment ecosystem.
The request emphasises the following issues: The Gazette Notification dated 18 September 2025, restricting contractor registration certificates to UT-Ladakh jurisdiction only, has left local contractors at a serious disadvantage while outside bidders increasingly capture major tenders.
Growing inability of local contractors to compete the tender process is hurting livelihoods and weakening the local economy.
Given Ladakh’s unique geography, harsh climatic conditions and specialised logistical requirements, local contractors are best equipped to deliver quality, timely and cost-effective projects.
Therefore, the Ladakh leader JTN’s representation urges the UT Administration to reserve tender works up to ₹20.00 Crore exclusively for Ladakh-registered contractors in order to support local entrepreneurship, stabilise employment, and retain public expenditure within the region.
The demand is strongly backed by the recently formed Ladakh Infra Developer Alliance (LIDA), launched in May 2025, comprising 14 associations including civil and electrical contractors, transport unions and specialised plant-operator groups.
LIDA maintains that despite substantial contributions by local contractors to infrastructure building and employment generation, they are often sidelined after the introduction of online tendering that allows unrestricted entry of external contractors.
The alliance has proposed reservations for projects valued between ₹10–₹20 Crore for contractors holding the Ladakh Resident Certificate (LRC).
The appeal comes at a time when Ladakh is witnessing wider demands for protection of local rights, including the recently implemented 85% job reservation for Ladakh residents and provisions reserving one-third seats in Hill Development Councils for women.
Jamyang Tsering Namgyal argue that applying similar protections to infrastructure contracting is essential to prevent external monopolisation, sustain local economic balance and empower Ladakhi youth.
Statement by Former MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal reads, “Ladakh’s entrepreneurs and skilled workforce have the capability, experience and commitment to deliver world-class infrastructure. Yet systemic disadvantages prevent them from competing equally.
Reserving tender works up to ₹20 Crore is not merely a demand — it is a necessity for fair opportunity, local empowerment and sustainable development of Ladakh. He added that the reservation policy is critical at a time when Ladakh is undergoing major infrastructure expansion across roads, bridges, power and public works, while employment opportunities for locals remain limited.
Demands Presented to the Lt. Governor Kavinder Gupta by Ladakh leader Jamyang Tsering Namgyal
Reservation of tender works up to ₹20.00 Crore exclusively for UT-Ladakh registered contractors.
Mandatory inclusion of LRC (Ladakh Resident Certificate) in all tender eligibility criteria for works within the financial limit.
Assurance that public works planning prioritises local employment, livelihood, and capacity-building in alignment with the “Local First” principle.
The representations are currently under consideration with the LG Secretariat. Local contractors and stakeholders are optimistic that the Administration of Union Territories of Ladakh will take prompt action in the interest of Ladakh’s regional economy, infrastructure stability and youth employment.
