Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, chaired an introductory-cum-review meeting of the Department of Tourism and Culture at the LG Secretariat on August 8, emphasising the need to expand winter tourism, promote homestays, protect heritage sites, and strengthen road infrastructure.

Highlighting Ladakh’s tourism potential beyond the summer months, the LG urged promotion of rural homestays and attraction of foreign visitors in winter. He called for installing CCTVs in ancient monasteries, digitising centuries-old scriptures, and ensuring historically accurate scripts for light and sound shows by involving subject experts.

The LG also reviewed the Housing & Urban Development, Public Works Department (PWD), Mechanical Engineering, General Administration Department (GAD), and Inspector General of Registration.

Administrative Secretary, Sanjit Rodrigues briefed on projects including the GIS-based Master Plan for Leh and Kargil, proposals to upgrade municipal bodies, and the implementation of central schemes such as PM-SVANidhi, DAY-NULM, Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, AMRUT 2.0, and PMAY Urban 2.0. He noted declining tourist footfall over the past two years and highlighted policies like the Ladakh Homestay Policy 2023 and STP Incentive Scheme 2024.

Administrative Secretary., Michael D’Souza, IAS, updated on connectivity projects including nine tunnels, roads, and bridges under PMGSY, CRIF, SDP, and State Capex. He also outlined snow clearance operations, heating space maintenance, and oxygen plant upkeep.

Discussions included recruitment rules, upcoming LSSSSB examinations, service matters, UPSC requisitions, and challenges in registration functions.

In his concluding remarks, the LG called for immediate clearance of legacy waste in Kargil, proper waste segregation, and phased implementation of STPs without compromising quality. He urged promotion of PMAY Urban 2.0 to meet housing demand, prioritisation of strategic road construction for year-round troop movement, full registration of government employees on the Karmayogi Bharat portal for capacity building, and filling of vacant posts to strengthen UT administration.