Councillor Stanzin Lakpa meets CS Kundra, seeks decentralised Admn, New Tehsil, Blocks in Zanskar

LEH: BJP Ladakh State General Secretary and Councillor Stanzin Lakpa today called on Chief Secretary Ladakh Ashish Kundra and discussed a series of administrative and developmental demands concerning the newly created districts, with particular emphasis on Zanskar.

During the meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Leh, Lakpa sought expansion and decentralisation of the administrative structure in Zanskar, including the creation of new revenue villages, Panchayat Halqas, administrative blocks and a new Tehsil at Stod. He also sought greater powers for Tehsildars in newly upgraded Tehsils to issue Residence and Domicile Certificates.

The demands were aimed at improving access to government services and strengthening local administrative institutions, particularly in remote and winter-cut-off areas where residents face difficulties travelling to the district headquarters for routine official work.

Lakpa sought the creation of new revenue villages in Kumi, Youlang, Tsazar, Stara, Shilla, Ufti, Tangkar Tokta and Ramalla Manda, citing demands raised by residents of these areas.

He also pressed for the creation of new Panchayat Halqas in Sking-Kargak, Rangdum, Atting, Shilla, Tsazar, Sani, Hamiling and Langmi-Rijing. The proposed expansion, he said, would strengthen grassroots democratic institutions and facilitate more effective implementation of welfare schemes.

For further decentralisation of administration and improved delivery of public services in remote areas, Lakpa sought the creation of three new administrative blocks — Stod, Sham and Tetsa-Kargak.

Another demand concerned the delegation of powers to the Tehsildars of the newly upgraded Cha-Lungnak and Raru Tehsils for issuance of Residence and Domicile Certificates. Lakpa stressed that the measure was particularly necessary for areas of Zanskar that remain inaccessible during the winter months, as residents currently face considerable hardship in travelling to the district headquarters for basic certificates.

Lakpa further sought the creation of a new Tehsil at Stod and additional Niabats in Zanskar District, arguing that an expanded administrative network was required to respond to the needs of the newly created districts and improve access to public services.

He urged the Chief Secretary to accord early consideration to the demands and initiate necessary action in the larger public interest.

Kundra gave a patient hearing to the issues raised during the meeting and assured Lakpa that the matters would be considered at the earliest.