Leh, Aug 12: Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday urged the provision of clean drinking water to rural households via functional household tap connections (FHTCs), ensuring year-round access, community accountability, and user charges for the upkeep of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects, with penalties for non-payers.
During a review meeting at the LG Secretariat, he evaluated progress in Public Health Engineering, Irrigation & Flood Control, Food Supplies, Consumer Affairs, Legal Metrology, Education, and Skill Development sectors.
The LG launched Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM), a science talent search for students in grades VI to XI, organized by Vijnana Bharati, NCERT, and the National Council of Science Museums to foster scientific curiosity.
He also called for Tiranga Rallies in schools under the Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan to boost patriotism and strengthen the spirit of national unity among students ahead of Independence Day.
Administrative Secretary Rahul Sharma, briefed on PHE Department projects, including Jal Jeevan Mission, proposed 24×7 water supply schemes in Leh and Kargil worth Rs 707 crore, and FMBAP irrigation works by I\&FC Department.
He also outlined the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department’s role in free grain distribution under NFSA 2013, food procurement, finances, and key achievements.
Post-lunch, Administrative Secretary Bhanu Prabha, IAS, presented on School Education, covering Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI schools, PM Poshan, enrolment, staffing, teacher training, and challenges. She detailed higher education in Ladakh, NEP 2020 implementation, student facilities, and issues like low GER.
On Skill Development, she highlighted training initiatives via Polytechnic colleges, Ladakh Skill Development Mission, and Enterprising Ladakh. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saket Kushwaha presented the University of Ladakh’s projects and activities.
The Lt Governor emphasised providing excellent education within Ladakh as it is a key strategy to encourage youth to stay and contribute locally, rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere. This involves improving the quality of education, making it relevant to local needs, and ensuring access to resources and opportunities within the state, he added. He stressed ensuring effective training and capacity building of teachers tailored to address their specific needs, ultimately leading to improved student learning outcomes.
The Lt Governor emphasised introducing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programmes in ITI Leh as they prepare for a technologically driven future. He stressed tapping renewable energy, such as wind energy, at the University of Ladakh campus to promote green energy, along with reducing energy costs. He directed the effective training of Ladakhi youth so that they could be employed by companies for major project work, such as the solar power project at Pang.
The Lt Governor highlighted proactive measures to delete bogus ration cards/souls to eliminate fraudulent access to subsidised food and prevent leakage of resources.
