Zanskar, February 21, 2026: The Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, chaired a comprehensive review meeting during his visit to Sub-Division Zanskar today to assess developmental progress, departmental coordination, and implementation of various government schemes.
At the outset, SDM Zanskar, Omkar Rajendara Gundage, presented a detailed briefing on the overall administrative profile of the sub-division Zanskar. He highlighted departmental structures, staff strength, infrastructure and budget utilization for the financial year 2025–26 under different schemes, including SDP, State Sector, and CAPEX.
The SDM also apprised the Chief Secretary about major ongoing works across engineering and non-engineering sectors such as R&B, Animal Husbandry, Handicrafts, Tourism, and other key departments.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary conducted an in-depth review of the Revenue Department and strictly directed officials to expedite the digitization of land records to ensure transparency and efficiency in land management.
He also reviewed the implementation status of major flagship schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission – Gramin (VB-GRAMG), (former MG-NREGA), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), and Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). He sought detailed information on beneficiary coverage and directed departments to enhance outreach and ensure maximum benefit to eligible households.
Emphasizing optimal resource utilization, the Chief Secretary instructed that equipment and subsidized assets available under different departments should be shared and utilized efficiently through inter-departmental coordination. He further directed that maximum eligible households be covered under greenhouse schemes to promote sustainable livelihood generation.
A detailed review of tourism potential was also undertaken. The Chief Secretary assessed tourist inflow, availability of guest houses and hotels, trekking sites and strategies to enhance visitor numbers and income generation. He highlighted the importance of promoting the Zanskar Festival (flagship event of the region) at a larger scale to attract wider participation and boost the local economy.
The meeting also covered health programs, sports infrastructure development, and educational performance. The Chief Secretary reviewed the infrastructure, enrollment, and pass-out statistics of Government Degree College Zanskar, as well as schools. He emphasized stronger coordination between schools and the college to improve enrollment rates and academic outcomes.
Focusing on skill development and livelihood diversification, he underlined the need for convergence among key sectors such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Handicrafts, and Tourism. He stressed that departments should not work in isolation but must formulate integrated plans and proposals through coordinated strategy and joint action.
In a major directive, the Chief Secretary instructed the SDM to conduct a comprehensive household-level survey within two months. The survey will collect granular data on greenhouse distribution, employment status, education levels, and other socio-economic indicators. He advised seeking support from all concerned departments to ensure accuracy and timely submission of the report. The aim is to undertake a deep-dive analysis, map resources effectively, and build departmental teams capable of implementing targeted development strategies.
Additionally, he emphasized modernization of the handloom and handicrafts sector by developing sophisticated market linkages, improved packaging, and effective marketing strategies to expand reach and enhance income generation.
The Chief Secretary reiterated that coordinated planning, data-driven governance, and convergence of schemes are essential pillars for accelerating sustainable development in the Zanskar Sub-Division and ensuring inclusive growth for all sections of society.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Kargil Rakesh Kumar; SDM Zanskar Omkar Rajendara Gundage; Chief Engineer R&B; Chief Engineer PHE and irrigation; Chief Engineer Power Development Department; Executive Engineer R&B; Executive Engineer PHE and irrigation; Principal GDC Zanskar; Under Secretary Education; Cheif Horticulture Officer Kargil; Cheif Medical Officer Kargil; Tehsildar Zanskar, and officer and officials of all departments of Zanskar Sub Division.
