Diplomat Correspondent
Kargil, DD, The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil on Monday hosted an Iftaar and dinner party at Hotel The Kargil in honour of Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IAS, who recently assumed charge as the first Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh upon his redesignation.
Executive Councillor (PHE) Kacho Mohd. Feroz; Executive Councillor (RDD), Er. Punchok Tashi; Executive Councillor (SW), Agha Syeed Mujtaba Mussavi; Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse; SSP, Kargil Shree Ram R; Directors of YSS, RDD, S&TW; Tourism; Horticulture; Chief Engineer, PHE; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil; Joint Director, Information; Joint Director (Finance), Joint Director (Planning), District Officers and LAHDC Councillors of various constituencies were present on occasion.
While addressing the gathering, Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC-Kargil Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon congratulated Dr. Pawan Kotwal on his new role and commended his proactive approach towards Ladakh’s development.
The CEC expressed hope for progress on various projects including implementing the 24×7 water supply system for Kargil Town, constructing a multi-level car parking facility and other developmental initiatives.
In his address, Dr. Pawan Kotwal expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended to him in Kargil by the LAHDC and said that he always felt at home in Ladakh.
He highlighted various financial aspects concerning the Union Territory of Ladakh. Further, he outlined the budgetary achievements of Ladakh since the time it became a Union Territory and emphasized the need to accelerate initiatives such as digital land records and e-Sewa services.
He reiterated his vision of making Ladakh the best-administered, most efficiently run and most modernized Union Territory of the country.
The Chief Secretary expressed delight about the fact that Ladakh has developed and progressed considerably in every sector against all odds and needs to maintain the momentum. While assuring that there will be no shortage of funds, he urged that expenditure should be incurred to the optimum extent possible. “We need to spend every penny well,” he added.
While stating that if we keep working on the foundation already laid for development, we will succeed in turning Ladakh into a unique Union Territory. He further highlighted the need to expedite the process of digitization of land revenue records in Kargil.DD
