Dynastic politics ruined development of Kargil: Priya Sethi

Infrastructural development including Asia's longest 

tunnel to change fate of people:Vikram Randhwa

KARGIL, Aug 8: Former Minister & BJP Spokesperson Priya Sethi today said, BJP led union government had massive plans for Ladakh region including Kargil and it is towards this end that massive infrastructural projects were initiated besides people oriented schemes launched that are benefitting the population especially women in this region.

Addressing a press conference here today she said Kargil would have developed at par with any other region of the country had political outfits like Congress, National Conference (NC) and PDP not encouraged and promoted dynastic rule in J&K State. Since these political outfits continued to patronage their wards and kins people were never empowered as left to fend for themselves.

Vikram Randhwa Seh Prabari Kargil and MLC, Distt President  Mohammed Ali, Mahila Morcha President  Lilla Bano Lama, Pulzor BJYM President Mohamod Hussain were present in the press conference.

Urging people to throw these promoters of dynastic politics out of power, Priya Sethi said elections to Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil are very crucial and a right time to keep such forces at a bay. The development of Kargil, she added was also put in cold store by these very politicians.

Priya Sethi said development including better connectivity, harnessing solar hydro power, women empowerment and better employment opportunities were all initiated during the BJP regime which if continued sincerely will make Kargil a hub of solar and hydro electricity. It was during BJP stint that Kargil and Zanskar got development authorities.

The BJP spokesperson added that Kargil was the economic powerhouse due to equidistant from Ladakh, Srinagar and Skardu but dynastic lust of those in power ruined it. However, Kargil is sure to regain its glory once Srinagar-Leh highway and tunnels are built to give the region all weather connectivity.

Giving details of development projects she disclosed that agriculture soil testing laboratory was also established here and to reduce pressure on farm labour which comprises of mostly women 50% subsidy on agriculture tools and machinery was also extended to the region.

Under PMDP, 5 apricot solar dryer cum space heating with energy storage on 90% subsidized rate was installed on July 28 last at different locations in Kargil on a trial basis, Priya Sethi informed and added that these projects are sure to increase the economic potential of the farmers of Kargil who has a total area of 1900 hectares for production of fresh fruit.

Kargil, she added is on the developmental map of union government and to save about 7,800 metric tons of Apricot produce - main cash crop a cold Storage powered fully by Solar Energy with a capacity of 1000 metric tons is on the anvil. The project was sanctioned during BJP regime. 

Giving details of other projects initiated during BJP regime in the state, she said under PMDP, Rs.50 Crore has been allocated for construction of girls hostels in 07 degree colleges of the state, Girls hostels have been approved for GDC Paloura, GDC Thathri, GDC Rajouri, GDC Bemina, GCW Kupwara, GCW Pulwama, GDC Kargil/Leh besides 200 bedded hospital is coming up at KUBATHANG KARGIL.

Urging people to have faith in BJP leadership, Priya Sethi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently inaugurated 44 Mega Watt Chatuk hydro electric power project which is a run-of-the-river project built on the Suru river in Kargil. During the sun drying process, the fruit loses its natural colour and turns dark brown. This is the major drawback of traditional method of sun drying in Ladakh are that Ladakh is one of the major producer of apricot in India, but, at present almost 90% of the fresh apricot being produced in this cold arid region go waste and its market value stands abysmal. The prime reason for such debacle is the lack of proper network for processing and supplying apricot products in Ladakh and elsewhere in India.

The local apricot growers, though, have the knowledge of cultivation and drying, but, they are devoid of any modern technical skills for proper preservation, storage, transportation and marketing of apricot products. This results in a huge less not only to the poor farmers but also to the economy of Ladakh  in general.

Ladakh's apricots are of premium quality and stood among best apricot internationally. But the issue of concern is, there is an insect called Codling Moth, which cause huge damages to apricot and apple as well. Hence, the government has put a ban on exporting fresh Apricot and Apples from Ladakh to outside its district.

Solar power generation capacity planned for Ladkah was 5,000 Mw, for Kargil was 2,000 Mw

Udan service to Kargil was also started for convenience of people. The sector was opened in January 2018. It is due to some internal airlines problem that service has to be stopped. It will be resolved and new players are coming to take those sectors, she informed.

Vikram Randhwa Seh-Prabari Kargil and MLC said that what Congress couldn’t do in 65 years BJP did in four years like once 14.2 km longest tunnel of Asia at an estimated cost of Rs 6089 cr. Will be through the area will see remarkable change. He added that Union minister for surface transport Nitin Gadkari is monitoring project regularly and there's no time delay. This is also going to be important from defence point also. It will create employment opportunities as well.