LUTF delegation meets Azad, Farooq, Omar; CM assures review to give more powers to Leh council
09/01/08 01:49 Filed in:Ladakh news
Jammu, Sunday,
January 06, 2008
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here today that his Government would carry our a review in order to give more powers to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC-Leh) with a view to further strengthening it.
He gave this assurance to a delegation of the Latah Union Territory Front (LUTF) led by Mr Thupstan Chhewang, MP and LUTF president, at an hour-long meeting at his residence here. The Chief Minister also expressed his views about the other notable demands of the LUTF concerning the inclusion of the Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, reopening of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage through Leh and police atrocities on elected representatives and Buddhist leaders.
The meeting of Ladakh leaders with the Chief Minister followed one that they had with National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah and NC president Omar Abdullah yesterday. In a statement here, Mr Chhewang quoted the Chief Minister as having promised the delegation that his government would certainly consider investing the LAHDC with more financial and legislative powers. The delegation pointed out to him that the powers given so far were more “symbolic” in nature. The Council in reality had no control over employees, for instance.
The Chief Minister was apprised about the manner of the revival of the district unit of the Congress by keeping even senior party functionaries in the dark. He was also told about the terror let loose by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and his police in Leh district against leaders of the LUTF as well as the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA).
Mr Azad evinced great interest in both the developments and made several queries. About the demand for the removal of the SSP he said he would let the MP and MLA (Mr Pinto Norboo) know about it after some time. “We got the impression as if the Chief Minister wanted to discuss the matter with the top police brass,” Mr Chhewang said.
According to Mr Chhewang, the Chief Minister said his Government would take steps to get the Bhoti language its due recognition. The delegation pointed out to him that a Cabinet resolution was required for its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
The Chief Minister asserted that he would do his best to get the Leh route opened for the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage. He told the delegation that he would take up the matter with the Prime Minister, Dr Man Mohan Singh, who incidentally was scheduled to go to China .
The Chief Minister also showed urgency in translating the pending local development projects into a reality. He assured that he would give instructions to the new Power Minister to get the power schemes moving. He also promised to favourably consider the plea for starting helicopter service to Lingshet during winters. About the creation of more tehsils and sub-divisions the Chief Minister said the Government would take a decision after receiving the Bloeria Committee report on reorganisation of administrative units.
The delegation also presented a memorandum to the Chief Minister on the occasion listing their demands.Yesterday the delegation had held a detailed meeting with Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mr Omar Abdullah.
The NC leaders assured it that their party would raise their demands on the floor of the Assembly. The delegation thanked them for their support. It had earlier in the week met Mr A.R. Rather, NC Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.
Mr Chhewang said the delegation was quite satisfied with the concern shown by all political parties about the situation in Leh. They had met their leaders during nearly one-long stay in this city. He also thanked the Chief Minister for being positive and responsive.
He said the LUTF in keeping with its insistence on exercising democratic options would hold a dharna in the city. This will be done to strike a rapport with local citizens and inform them about developments in Ladakh. This would also help build harmonious human relations.
The delegation consisted of, apart from Mr Chhewang (Leh), Mr Pinto Norboo, MLA (Nubra), Executive councillors and councillors of LAHDC Mr Dorjay had to cut short his stay and fly back to Leh on Friday to keep his official schedule.
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here today that his Government would carry our a review in order to give more powers to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC-Leh) with a view to further strengthening it.
He gave this assurance to a delegation of the Latah Union Territory Front (LUTF) led by Mr Thupstan Chhewang, MP and LUTF president, at an hour-long meeting at his residence here. The Chief Minister also expressed his views about the other notable demands of the LUTF concerning the inclusion of the Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, reopening of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage through Leh and police atrocities on elected representatives and Buddhist leaders.
The meeting of Ladakh leaders with the Chief Minister followed one that they had with National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah and NC president Omar Abdullah yesterday. In a statement here, Mr Chhewang quoted the Chief Minister as having promised the delegation that his government would certainly consider investing the LAHDC with more financial and legislative powers. The delegation pointed out to him that the powers given so far were more “symbolic” in nature. The Council in reality had no control over employees, for instance.
The Chief Minister was apprised about the manner of the revival of the district unit of the Congress by keeping even senior party functionaries in the dark. He was also told about the terror let loose by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and his police in Leh district against leaders of the LUTF as well as the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA).
Mr Azad evinced great interest in both the developments and made several queries. About the demand for the removal of the SSP he said he would let the MP and MLA (Mr Pinto Norboo) know about it after some time. “We got the impression as if the Chief Minister wanted to discuss the matter with the top police brass,” Mr Chhewang said.
According to Mr Chhewang, the Chief Minister said his Government would take steps to get the Bhoti language its due recognition. The delegation pointed out to him that a Cabinet resolution was required for its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
The Chief Minister asserted that he would do his best to get the Leh route opened for the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage. He told the delegation that he would take up the matter with the Prime Minister, Dr Man Mohan Singh, who incidentally was scheduled to go to China .
The Chief Minister also showed urgency in translating the pending local development projects into a reality. He assured that he would give instructions to the new Power Minister to get the power schemes moving. He also promised to favourably consider the plea for starting helicopter service to Lingshet during winters. About the creation of more tehsils and sub-divisions the Chief Minister said the Government would take a decision after receiving the Bloeria Committee report on reorganisation of administrative units.
The delegation also presented a memorandum to the Chief Minister on the occasion listing their demands.Yesterday the delegation had held a detailed meeting with Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mr Omar Abdullah.
The NC leaders assured it that their party would raise their demands on the floor of the Assembly. The delegation thanked them for their support. It had earlier in the week met Mr A.R. Rather, NC Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.
Mr Chhewang said the delegation was quite satisfied with the concern shown by all political parties about the situation in Leh. They had met their leaders during nearly one-long stay in this city. He also thanked the Chief Minister for being positive and responsive.
He said the LUTF in keeping with its insistence on exercising democratic options would hold a dharna in the city. This will be done to strike a rapport with local citizens and inform them about developments in Ladakh. This would also help build harmonious human relations.
The delegation consisted of, apart from Mr Chhewang (Leh), Mr Pinto Norboo, MLA (Nubra), Executive councillors and councillors of LAHDC Mr Dorjay had to cut short his stay and fly back to Leh on Friday to keep his official schedule.