Will meet PM, HM after August 1: LG Ladakh

Jammu, Jul 29: Lieutenant Governor Ladakh Union Territory Kavinder Gupta Tuesday stated that the efforts were underway to conduct Shri Amarnath Yatra through Ladakh route also from the next year.

LG Gupta was responding to media queries at Katra about the plans underway to further bolster development in Ladakh and exploit its tourism potential.

He visited Katra to pay obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, first time after taking over the reins of Ladakh UT as its new Lieutenant Governor.

LG Ladakh reiterated that he would meet the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah after August 1 to discuss all issues, measures to bolster development in Ladakh.

“Ladakh has a great potential. I want to serve the people there with full dedication. My effort will be to live up to their (people’s) expectations. There is a lot of scope to work there in Ladakh. In the next one and a half year, Zojila tunnel will also be open, thus opening new vistas for tourism. We are making efforts that from next year, it is possible to conduct Shri Amarnath Yatra from the Ladakh route as well,” he said.

Besides, he said that focus was on the conduct of the winter games. “After August 1, I’ll have to meet the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister. I will deliberate all the issues and measures desired to ensure the progress of Ladakh as per people’s aspirations. We will do everything possible to make Ladakh progressing and developed,” LG Gupta reaffirmed.

With regard to queries about debate on ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the Parliament, he said that the opposition should refrain from criticising armed forces or making any comment that could demotivate them.

“The central government’s zero tolerance to terrorism police in J&K has brought dividends in J&K, which has also witnessed a sharp decline in stone pelting incidents,” he said.