CEC Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon Meets Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Leh, Submits Key Memorandum for Holistic Development of Kargil.

CEC Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon Meets Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Leh, Submits Key Memorandum for Holistic Development of Kargil.
Leh, 16th June 2025 — Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, met with the Hon’ble Union Minister for Finance, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, during her official visit to Leh. During this crucial meeting, the CEC presented a comprehensive memorandum outlining several key developmental and infrastructural demands concerning the Kargil district.
The memorandum emphasized the urgent needs of the region and sought the Ministry’s intervention in key sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, governance, and tourism.
The key demands presented include sanction of 200-Bedded Hospital for Kargil District. To address overcrowding and inadequate facilities, the CEC requested the upgradation of the existing 100-bedded District Hospital to a 200-bedded hospital.
The CEC requested the establishment of a Super Specialty Hospital or a Mini AIIMS to provide advanced and affordable healthcare services locally.
In view of the limited educational opportunities for women in the region, a separate women’s college in Sankoo was requested to promote gender equity in higher education.
The memorandum further called for the immediate operationalization of the sanctioned engineering college with full faculty and infrastructure support.
It was urged that funds allocated to LAHDC be made non-lapsable to ensure efficient utilization and multi-year planning.
The CEC further emphasized restoring LAHDC’s powers to manage development works, which existed prior to the formation of the Union Territory. And to meet growing developmental needs, the memorandum requested enhancement of the LAHDC Capex grant to ₹500 crore annually.
The Council requested reinstatement of its authority to grant Administrative Approval (AA) to expedite civil works under various schemes.
A financial package of ₹150 crore was sought to clear long-pending compensation claims for land acquisition and infrastructure development.
Considering Kargil’s strategic and geographic constraints, the CEC called for runway expansion and immediate commencement of civil air operations.
A dedicated tourism promotion fund was requested to unlock the region’s potential for eco, adventure, and cultural tourism.
A special package of ₹1000 crore was requested to complete vital infrastructure projects stalled due to insufficient funding.
Additional financial and administrative empowerment of LAHDC was proposed to ensure that decentralization truly benefits local populations.
Dr. Akhoon expressed deep appreciation to the Finance Ministry for its continued support to the Ladakh region and emphasized that fulfillment of these demands would play a transformative role in Kargil’s future. He stated that robust healthcare, educational infrastructure, and financial empowerment of local bodies are essential for sustainable and inclusive development.