Kargil, August 02: The Hon’ble Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, today attended the concluding ceremony of the ‘Sumpoornata Abhiyaan Samman Samaroh’ organized under the Aspirational Block Programme (ABP) at Syed Mehdi Memorial Hall, Kargil.
The event marked a moment of pride and recognition for the exemplary performance of Karsha Block in the national initiative led by NITI Aayog.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Hon’ble Executive Councillor for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Er. Punchok Tashi; Hon’ble Executive Councillor for I&FC, PHE, Tourism and Kargil Development Authority, Kacho Mohammad Feroz; and Deputy Commissioner/CEO LAHDC Kargil, Rakesh Kumar (IAS). The gathering brought together district officers, Self-Help Group members, and various stakeholders to celebrate the achievement and encourage continued grassroots development.
Dr. Akhoon, along with other dignitaries, visited stalls set up by Self-Help Groups that displayed locally produced items. He appreciated the skill and entrepreneurship demonstrated by the SHG members and emphasized the importance of promoting local products. In an encouraging announcement, the CEC declared that the locally made “Markhur” cake would be introduced in all government offices, including the Council Secretariat, as part of a larger effort to strengthen the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign.
During the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar highlighted the need to diversify agriculture in the region. He directed the SDM of Sankoo to actively promote the cultivation of the Baghphey crop as a second seasonal yield, thereby helping farmers increase their income and ensure year-round productivity.
In his address, Dr. Jaffer Akhoon congratulated the Block Development Officer of Karsha and his team for their outstanding efforts that led to Karsha Block securing the second position in the All-India Delta Rankings under the Hilly, North-East, and Island category. He urged other blocks across the district to draw inspiration from Karsha’s model and to work with similar dedication to ensure full saturation of development indicators.
Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, in his remarks, appreciated the dedication and teamwork that enabled Karsha Block to achieve this feat. He noted that the Aspirational Block Programme is guided by the philosophy of “Aspiration to Inspiration,” with the aim of transforming 500 identified blocks across India. He further mentioned that regular monitoring based on 39 Key Performance Indicators would continue, and top-performing blocks would be rewarded under the Samprotsahan Abhiyan framework.
The event also featured a captivating theatrical performance by the Ranthag Theatre Group on the theme of “Vocal for Local,” which was well received by the audience and helped spread awareness about self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. In recognition of their contribution, the BDO of Karsha and his team were felicitated with certificates and mementos by the dignitaries.
The Aspirational Block Programme, launched by NITI Aayog, focuses on five key themes — Health, Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Allied Activities, and Basic Infrastructure & Social Development. Karsha Block’s success is attributed to achieving full saturation across 40 KPIs under these themes. The block was recently awarded the Bronze Award and monetary recognition under the Samprotsahan Abhiyan for the July to September 2024 cycle.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks and a collective call for all stakeholders to work together toward the holistic development of every block in the region. Senior officers including the Joint Director Planning, Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Drass, Sankoo, Zanskar, Shargole and Chiktan, District Programme Officer, and other departmental heads were present at the event, underscoring its significance in Ladakh’s administrative and developmental roadmap.
