A delegation of Panchayat coordination committee, district Leh, led by Sonam Wangchuk, a renowned innovator and educationist from Ladakh, Gitanjli, Founding CEO, Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) and Sonam Thardos, Chairman of the Committee, met Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhavan here, an offiacil spokesman said.
He said that thedelegation expressed its gratitude to Governor for opening a Cluster Universityfor Ladakh and for successful conduct of Panchayat elections.
The members of the delegation requested Governor forempowerment of Panchayat Institutions by extending the 73rd Amendment to the state and early conduct of electionsto the Block Development Councils; increase in honorarium for Panchs andSarpanchs of Ladakh, keeping in view the efforts required in the harsh climaticconditions of Ladakh; Ladakh’s HillCouncils and Panchayats be given free hand for innovative school managementexperiments in the Primary Schools, to be conducted with support of reputed localand national NGOs; release of long pending wages of daily wagers andcontractual employees and material component and wages under MGNREGA; openingof Directorates of all Departments,posting of an IGP and functioning of same in harmony with the LAHDC Act;adequate allotment of funds under the 15th Finance Commission and contractagreements of the Army with local vendors for purpose of transportation,groceries, vegetables etc, be revived.
Wangchuk proposed to partner in the building of a 50 MWSolar Power pilot project in Phey village as a part of the HIAL University forimparting hands on training to the Ladakhi youth, providing support withR&D of the project, connecting Plant to the 132 KV grid and integrating itwith Agri based development for local farmers and herders in desert conditions.