ZANSKAR: Former Executive Councillor and present BJP Advisor for Zanskar District, Tsering Angdus, has sought the creation of a separate sub-division for the Stoth region and an increase in its representation in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Zanskar, citing the area’s population, geographical spread and difficulties faced by residents in accessing government services.
Angdus submitted a memorandum to Ashok Koul, BJP General Secretary (Organisation) for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, urging him to take up the demands with the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The memorandum said the Stoth region comprises more than nine revenue villages, including Rangdum, Akshow, Abran, Hamiling, Remala-Skagam, Phey, Atting, Rantaksha and Tungri, among others, and has a population of more than 6,000.
The region covers a vast and remote geographical area, while the absence of a separate sub-division or administrative headquarters means residents have to travel about 60 to 140 kilometres to Padum for routine administrative work, according to the memorandum.
It said the travel burden becomes particularly difficult during winter when severe weather and challenging road conditions can affect connectivity.
Angdus therefore sought the creation of a separate sub-division for Stoth, arguing that an administrative headquarters in the region would improve access to government services and reduce the need for residents to travel long distances to Padum.
Demand for more Council seats
The memorandum also sought the delimitation and allocation of more than four Council seats for Stoth in LAHDC-Zanskar, citing the region’s population, geographical spread and the need to ensure adequate representation of its different areas.
It argued that both demands were driven by administrative convenience, equitable representation and greater democratic participation rather than political considerations.
Angdus requested Koul to pursue the matters with the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh and the Ministry of Home Affairs for appropriate consideration.
Koul assured Angdus of his personal intervention in taking up the issues with the concerned authorities and working towards their redressal.
The memorandum also conveyed appreciation for continued attention to the developmental and administrative concerns of remote and inaccessible areas of Stoth and Zanskar.
