Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council–Kargil chairman Dr Muhammad Jaffar Akhoon (File pic taken from X)
SRINAGAR: Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council–Kargil chairman Dr Muhammad Jaffar Akhoon alleged Monday that LG Kavinder Gupta is sidelining the district in development planning and demanded a white paper on all works undertaken in Ladakh since its 2019 transition to Union territory status after Article 370’s abrogation. It marks a rare public charge by an elected body in Ladakh against the LG.Akhoon said Kargil’s health infrastructure has faced “systemic neglect” for decades. “We were sanctioned a 100-bed hospital in 1979. Since then, we have been running it as a 200-bed hospital with staff strength of a 100-bed facility,” he said, adding the district has sought an AIIMS for years without progress. Winter deployment of civilians and the armed forces pushes the hospital to capacity, he said, adding Kargil needs a full-fledged 300-bed facility capable of handling a high load of emergencies, including cardiac cases.He contrasted this with Leh, which has been sanctioned a medical college set to begin MBBS admissions next year and already has a 300-bed hospital alongside a major Army-run medical facility. He said Kargil lacks an airport, forcing civilians and Army personnel to travel through Srinagar or Leh for flights. While Leh remains connected by several daily services, Kargil is cut off through winter.Akhoon said he recently met Gupta, who allegedly agreed Kargil has faced discrimination “but it doesn’t reflect anywhere”. He added: “The LG is LG of the entire UT of Ladakh. He should treat every region equally.” Gupta was not available for comments.LAHDC-Kargil is currently the only elected body functioning in Ladakh. LAHDC-Leh completed its five-year term on Oct 30, but govt has yet to announce new polls. Panchayat elections have also been pending for several years.The Leh council was created under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act, 1995, during PM PV Narasimha Rao’s tenure, with its first elections held the same year. A parallel council for Kargil was formed in 2003 during CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s tenure. Elections for both are held every five years.
