Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, inaugurated the Jung sJabs Outreach Programme at Sheynam Community Hall on April 7. Organised under the tagline “Administration at Your Doorsteps,” the initiative aims to ensure saturation of all welfare schemes across villages in Leh district through doorstep delivery of essential government services.

The outreach programme witnessed participation from multiple government departments, which set up dedicated stalls offering a wide range of services. These included revenue services, Aadhaar enrolment, banking, healthcare, social welfare, labour welfare, animal and sheep husbandry, agriculture, and horticulture, among others.

Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor expressed his happiness at interacting with the public and stated that the primary objective of the programme is to make government welfare schemes easily accessible, especially in remote and far-flung areas. He noted that Ladakh’s vast geographical expanse, sparse population, and challenging terrain often compel residents to travel long distances for basic services, making such initiatives essential.

Emphasising that it is the Administration’s responsibility to bring governance closer to the people, Saxena reiterated his commitment to the vision of “minimum government, maximum governance,” as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated that the Jung sJabs Outreach Programme has been launched to ensure that no citizen is deprived of government services due to logistical or geographical constraints.

The Lieutenant Governor informed that soon after assuming office, he directed officials to prioritise doorstep delivery of welfare schemes so that people do not have to travel to district headquarters for minor services. He urged the public to take full advantage of the camp, including facilities such as health check-ups and financial inclusion services.

Encouraging the youth of Ladakh to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, Saxena advised them to explore start-up opportunities instead of relying solely on government employment. He highlighted Ladakh’s potential in sectors such as tourism, handicrafts, and handloom, and called upon young entrepreneurs to harness these opportunities.

He observed that Ladakhi products such as apricots and pashmina, despite their global quality, have not received adequate recognition in international markets due to gaps in marketing and packaging. He assured that the UT Administration would extend full support to promote these products, enhance branding, and facilitate their entry into global markets.

The Lieutenant Governor also sought public cooperation in transforming Ladakh into a leading tourist destination. He informed that an increase in daily flight operations would boost tourist inflow and provide relief to tourism stakeholders. He further shared that efforts are underway, in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, to operationalise commercial flights at Kargil Airport.

Reaffirming his commitment to preserving Ladakh’s unique cultural identity, Saxena stated that all necessary steps would be taken to safeguard and promote the region’s rich heritage. He also stressed the need to provide world-class services to tourists to enhance their experience and encourage repeat visits.

Highlighting environmental concerns, the Lieutenant Governor noted that despite the presence of glaciers, Ladakh faces water scarcity and low green cover. He informed that the Administration is working on creating water bodies for irrigation and increasing forest cover. He also assured that he would continue visiting different parts of Ladakh to directly engage with the public, understand their grievances, and provide on-the-spot solutions.

Deputy Commissioner Leh, Romil Singh Donk, briefed the gathering on the objectives of the outreach initiative. He stated that the Mimans-si-sJabstogs programme, launched in November last year, aims to bridge the gap between the Administration and citizens, particularly in remote areas. He emphasised that it serves as an open platform for grievance redressal and urged the public to actively participate.

Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor inspected the stalls set up by various departments and distributed certificates among beneficiaries.

Among those present were Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Shashanka Ala, Senior Superintendent of Police Leh Shree Raam, Additional Deputy Commissioner Leh Mukul Beniwal, Commissioner State Taxes Nitish Rajora, senior government officials, nambardars from Leh and adjoining areas, and a large number of citizens.