Kargil, October 28: Member of Parliament from Ladakh constituency, Mohmad Haneefa Jan, today conducted an extensive tour of Drass Sub-Division to assess ongoing developmental works and listen to the grievances of the local populace.
He was accompanied by Councillor Bhimbhat, Abdul Wahid; SDM Drass, Vishal Atri; DPO ICDS, Nargis Banoo; DSWO, Sameena Khatoon; Executive Engineer I&FC, Ghulam Hussain; Executive Engineer R&B Kargil, Mansoor Ahmad; BMO Drass, Dr. Sajjad Hussain; Former Councillor Bhimbhat, besides other heads of departments and officials.
During his visit to Lamochan, Drass, the villagers raised demands for mobile connectivity, construction of an irrigation khul, development of Manman Top as a tourist site, and promotion of winter sports. The MP assured all possible support for these demands.
At Skotiyal, Drass, the villagers sought the establishment of a medical aid centre, construction of link roads to Middle School Sukutiyal and Youlboo village, upgradation of the middle school building, and establishment of a separate polling booth.
Councillor Abdul Wahid informed the public that ₹75 crore has been sanctioned for tourism-related projects, including chair lifts, a snow ski track, and lift irrigation costing ₹6 crore for Lamochan, Skotiyal, and Youlbo.
Proposals for field channels and land development have also been submitted for technical sanction. The MP assured to prioritize school-related matters, while the SDM informed that the proposal for a separate polling booth has already been taken into consideration.
At Youlbo, villagers demanded the construction of an irrigation khul, installation of submersible pumps, electricity connection for operating pumps at the Middle School, a footbridge, establishment of a CHC, protection bunds, and nallah training.
The MP said that the primary aim of his visit was to listen to public grievances. He assured that issues would be resolved in a phased manner — some at the Councillor level and others by him during his tenure. He also promised to take up graveyard land allotment, landscaping, and JJM-related matters in the second phase of action.
At Gindyal, villagers demanded the upgradation of the middle school to high school, macadamization of roads, establishment of a ration store, and provision of a college bus under MPLAD funds. The MP assured to resolve these issues on priority and also discussed the exchange of college land, as the village water source exists at the current site.
At Bhimbhat, residents raised issues regarding JJM, upgradation of the Middle School to High School, installation of streetlights from Bhimbhat to the War Memorial, provision of a bus, land rent issues involving the Army during Vijay Diwas, upgradation of the Girls Middle School, and opening of a J&K Bank branch at Bhimbhat.
At Throngos, the villagers demanded a health sub-centre, construction of a new building for the Council Model School, a ration store, resolution of JJM issues, link road construction, and sanctioning of a separate Anganwadi Centre.
Councillor Bhimbhat informed that ₹5 crore has been sanctioned for the circular road project, along with several other developmental initiatives in the area.
The MP assured to explore all possible means to follow up on the demands and stated that he will soon chair meetings at the UT and district levels to take up JJM issues at the central level.
At Chokiyal Panchayat Halqa, consisting of 1,800 households, villagers expressed gratitude to the CEC Kargil, UT Administration, and Hill Council for upgrading the Middle School to High School. They urged for speedy admissions and construction works. They also raised demands for the extension of the polo ground, establishment of an ice hockey rink, upgradation of sub-centres, construction of irrigation khuls, and redressal of JJM, PMGSY, and land compensation issues.
In his address, Councillor Bhimbhat thanked the Hill Council Kargil for the school upgradation and expressed appreciation for the MP’s support at the ministry level. He highlighted developmental achievements, urged the LAHDC Kargil to clear liabilities, and praised the community’s active participation in education. He also requested the MP’s intervention in resolving CRIF compensation matters.
Addressing the gathering, MP Haneefa Jan raised strong concerns about loopholes in the implementation of JJM and assured the public of corrective measures. He pledged to resolve issues related to roads, sub-centres, and youth sports grounds on a priority basis, as per norms.
At Dandal and Dandal Thang, villagers demanded upgradation of schools and early commencement of lift irrigation works in April.
At Jasgund, villagers raised issues regarding the construction of irrigation khuls, replacement of ST lines, provision of an alternate JJM water tank, construction of a double-storey community hall, food store, Lasarla Trek development, playfield upgradation, ice hockey rink, installation of streetlights (to mitigate brown bear incidents), and winter tuition classes for students. The MP and Councillor assured to resolve these in a phased manner.
At Sumart, villagers demanded an irrigation khul, medical sub-centre, and solutions to JJM-related problems.
At Thasgam, Drass, the public sought a highway bypass, upgradation of the high school to higher secondary, establishment of a medical aid centre, and delimitation considerations. A detailed memorandum was submitted to the MP, who assured timely action and directed concerned departments for follow-up.
At Keiber, villagers demanded a medical centre, road breast walling, culvert construction, and other related works.
At Shimsha, villagers requested six months’ advance ration, lift irrigation machine tenders, graveyard concrete bands, JJM pipeline repairs, and resolution of several other issues.
At Kharboo, villagers demanded road maintenance, chak dam construction, marriage hall and school funds, high school upgradation, and resolution of electricity cut-off and highway shifting proposals. The MP assured to arrange funds for the chak dam and snow avalanche band under suitable schemes and to take up other issues at the UT level.
Later, the MP visited Kaksar, interacted with the locals, listened to their grievances, and assured to resolve the issues on priority basis.
