Leh: A delegation from Hemis Shukpachan led by Nambardar Tsewang Nurboo met the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), at the LG Secretariat. Chief Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS; Secretary PWD/PHE, Michael D’Souza, IAS; and Chief Engineer, PWD, Abdul Mutalib were also present during the meeting.
The delegation raised several development-related concerns, including the installation of Airtel network equipment on an unused BSNL tower to enhance telecom connectivity, construction of a community hall in Yangthang village, construction of passive solar quarters for elderly monks at Rizong Monastery, and blacktopping of key link roads including Yangthang, Tokpo-Uley Rink, and Chulichan-Yangthang Tokpo roads.
A delegation from Hemis Shukpachan called on Hon’ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) to request his intervention in resolving issues such as improving telecommunication connectivity; construction of community hall at Yangthang, construction of passive solar quarters for pic.twitter.com/G0jxBeNNx7
— Office of the Lt. Governor, Ladakh (@lg_ladakh) May 5, 2025
The Lieutenant Governor directed the Chief Secretary to raise the telecom issue in the next meeting with service providers. He also advised the delegation to meet the Chairman/CEC of LAHDC Leh regarding the community hall issue and instructed the concerned departments to look into the requests for road blacktopping and construction at the monastery on priority.
In another meeting, Kunzes Dolma, a laboratory assistant at the Sheep Husbandry Department, also called on the Lieutenant Governor. She highlighted that despite acquiring a BVSc and AH degree in 2009, she remains at Pay Level 4 and is ineligible for promotion to the gazetted post of Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, which requires a minimum of Pay Level 6. Kunzes requested a 15% reservation for in-service graduates with the required qualifications.
Secretary GAD, Michael D’Souza, IAS, and Under Secretary Sheep Husbandry Department, Amir Sohail, JKAS, clarified that though Kunzes holds the necessary qualification, her current pay level disqualifies her from direct consideration. They added that UPSC had already rejected the request, and although she is eligible for promotion to Pay Level 6, the mandatory eight-year service at that level would make her ineligible before her superannuation in 2031.
The Lieutenant Governor assured that her case would be examined in light of existing service rules and saving clauses under the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.
