Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Haji Mohd Hanifa Jan met with the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), at Raj Niwas on June 3 to discuss several pressing issues concerning the Union Territory. Principal Secretary, Sanjeev Khirwar (IAS), and Secretary Education, Bhanu Prabha (IAS), were also present during the meeting.

During the discussion, MP Hanifa Jan urged the LG to seek a special compensation package from the central government for apricot farmers affected by the recent unseasonal snowfall. The LG assured that he would raise the issue with the concerned ministry and encouraged the MP to actively follow up.

The MP also highlighted several other key concerns:
•    Establishment of an Agriculture and Horticulture Research Centre in Kargil.
•    Appointment of AYUSH Medical Officers to meet rural healthcare needs.
•    Release of pending payments for higher secondary school buildings constructed under CBSE norms.
•    Appointment of Arabic teachers in Kargil under Samagra Shiksha, for which central funding is required.

Additionally, MP Hanifa Jan requested that Eid-e-Ghadeer and Chehlum (Youm-e-Arbaeen) be included in Leh district’s list of local holidays—on the lines of Kargil district—to respect the sentiments of the Shia community in Leh. In response, the LG stated that the General Administration Department (GAD), which finalizes the public holiday list in line with central norms, would examine the request and take an appropriate decision.

The MP also raised concern about limited admission opportunities for Ladakhi students at SKUAST-Kashmir, particularly under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation quota. Many eligible students, he said, were left out. The LG advised the MP to submit a formal draft proposal, which would be reviewed and taken up with the relevant authorities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Further points raised by the MP included:
•    Early recruitment of faculty for Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
•    Expedited transfer of SKUAST units in Ladakh to the University of Ladakh.
•    Resolution of wage-related issues for school education department cooks.

Regarding the wage concerns, the LG assured that a committee has already been formed to look into the cases of left-out daily-rated workers and that its report would be submitted soon.