Ladakh LG Directs Departments to Enforce Austerity Measures | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena has directed all government departments to adopt austerity measures, promote sustainable practices and ensure the judicious use of natural resources in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity and resource conservation.

The directions, issued on Saturday, are aimed at reducing government expenditure, cutting fuel consumption and carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy and sustainable products, strengthening local livelihoods and enhancing environmental sustainability across the Union Territory.

The Lieutenant Governor said he had already reduced the number of vehicles in his official motorcade by 50 per cent following the Prime Minister’s appeal and called for a coordinated and time-bound implementation of the measures by all departments.

“The Prime Minister has given a timely and visionary call for adopting sustainable practices in our daily lives, governance systems and developmental activities. Resource conservation, promotion of renewable energy, support to local products, healthy lifestyles and sustainable development are collective responsibilities,” Saxena said.

He said Ladakh, given its fragile ecology and vast potential, was well placed to lead by example in implementing transformative sustainability measures.

Saxena directed all administrative secretaries to issue necessary instructions to subordinate offices and field formations and submit a consolidated Action Taken Report to the Chief Secretary within 30 days. Departments have also been asked to launch public awareness campaigns on energy conservation, domestic tourism, local products, healthy lifestyles, natural farming and sustainable development.

Under the directions, the General Administration Department has been asked to maximise the use of video conferencing and digital platforms for meetings and training programmes, reduce official travel and explore work-from-home and hybrid working arrangements wherever feasible.

The Power, Transport and Urban Development departments have been tasked with promoting energy conservation, accelerating rooftop solar installations on government buildings, expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure and encouraging greater use of public transport and electric vehicles.

The Public Works Department has been directed to encourage environmentally sustainable construction materials, promote the use of plastic waste in road construction where feasible and explore green technologies such as biobitumen.

The Industries and Commerce, Handicrafts and Handloom, and Rural Development departments have been instructed to strengthen promotion of local products under the ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘One District One Product’ initiatives, while extending support to MSMEs, artisans, self-help groups and cooperatives.

The Tourism Department has been asked to intensify campaigns promoting Ladakh as a preferred domestic tourism destination and encourage responsible tourism practices, while the Agriculture and Horticulture departments will focus on natural farming and sustainable agriculture through awareness and capacity-building programmes.

The Health Department has also been directed to run campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles and balanced dietary habits.