With patriotic fervor and gaiety, Kargil celebrated 71st Independence Day at Khree Sultan Chow Sports Stadium on August 15 in Kargil. Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan, CEC unfurled the national tricolor.

 

Contingents of Jammu and Kashmir Police, NCC, civil, army band parties, government and private educational institutions took out the march past. 

 

Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan, CEC recalled the contributions and supreme sacrifices of the national heroes who laid down their lives for the freedom and well being of the countrymen. 

He praised the services of the army, paramilitary forces and police in guarding the frontiers of the country in harsh weather conditions and maintaining internal security of the country. 

Kacho urged upon the people to work unitedly to uphold the principles of sovereignty and integrity, and to free the district from the menace of corruption. He said that the day calls us to take a commitment to serve the motherland.

While highlighting the achievements and developmental activities undertaken by the present council in Kargil District, CEC said that the council is fully committed towards the wholesome development of the district and several important initiatives are presently underway in this regard. 

 

Kacho highlighted the need for close coordination among the Hill Council, District Administration and the public to make the development process result oriented and in making the administrators more accountable and answerable.  

Talking about the commitment of the Council in taking concrete steps to ensure round the year connectivity of the district with the outside world, CEC expressed satisfaction over the decision of the Central Government to start the work on the construction of Zojila Tunnel in near future. He said that this step will go a long way in ushering a new era of unprecedented development in the region and expressed hope that work on the tunnel would commence in the month of September this year. 

 

Kacho said that the construction, widening, maintenance and beautification work of the  ₹ 4200 crore Kargil-Zanskar National Highway is in full swing while as works worth crores of rupees on major bridges and roads are vigorously underway which are expected to further accelerate the developmental initiatives in the district. He said that around  ₹ 90 crore rupees are being spent under CRF on the construction of link roads and bridges in Shargole, Kargil, Pashkum, Tai Suru, Barsoo and other blocks, adding that under PMGSY works to the tune of around  ₹ 88 crore rupees are taken in hand for developmental activities in  Kargil, Chiktan, Barsoo, TSG and Zanskar blocks.

                                             

CEC urged upon public to contribute their part of duty and responsibility towards the progress and development of the district by ensuring the safekeeping of the government assets and to discourage the corrupt elements in the system. 

He appealed  youths to take full advantage of the employment generation schemes of the government in Rural Development, Social Welfare, Cooperatives, Agriculture and other allied sectors so that they are able to create employment for themselves as well as others.

Talking about safeguarding of Article-370 and Article 35-A, he impressed upon the Central Government for total intervention in this regard.

 

Prizes were distributed to the contingents, artists and school children who participated in the parade and cultural programmes. Mementos and citations were also given to several government employees for exemplary and meritorious public services. 

Independence Day was also celebrated at Sub Division Drass, Sankoo, Zanskar and Shakar Chikten besides Tehsil Tai Suru and Shargole.