Urges quality education in Ladakh to retain local youth
Directs for holding Tiranga Rallies in educational institutions ahead of Independence Day
Leh, Aug 12: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Kavinder Gupta, emphasised providing potable drinking water to rural households through functional household tap connections (FHTCs), ensuring their saturation and functioning along with availability of drinking water round the year, making the community accountable and notifying user charges for proper operation and maintenance for the success of the JJM projects along with penalising the defaulters who do not pay the user fee on time.
Chairing a comprehensive review meeting at the LG Secretariat, the Lt Governor assessed the functioning and implementation of various schemes and projects in Public Health Engineering (PHE) & Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC), Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Legal Metrology, School, Higher Education and Skill Development & Technical Education departments.
The Lt Governor launched the Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM), an initiative of Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) in collaboration with NCERT and National Council of Science Museums for popularising science among school students of Standard VI to XI and promoting a digital-based and largest science talent search examination for emerging India. He emphasised holding Tiranga Rallies in educational institutions ahead of Independence Day to inspire patriotic pride and strengthen the spirit of national unity among students.
Administrative Secretary Rahul Sharma, IAS, 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.
