Efforts underway to strengthen Hill Council in Ladakh

Armed forces won’t let political turmoil in any other country affect India: Om Birla

Leh: The Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla Thursday said that the government is committed to the development and progress of the Ladakh Union Territory stating that the Hill Council will get more power so that people are facilitated as per their aspirations.The speaker is on a visit to the twin union territories of J&K and Ladakh who Thursday reached Leh in the Ladakh UT.The visit is aimed at a parliamentary outreach program for the empowerment of Panchayati raj institutions.

Talking to the reporters ,the speaker praised Ladakh stating that this is a unique place and appreciated the Sindh River and the people of the region who are keeping the values of UT alive besides working for the protection of this nation.

“I hope that the people of Ladakh get more job opportunities and witness the development and more come for people so that this region grows as Atmanirbhar”, he said. The speaker said that Ladakh is one of the places that send messages of peace. This place in times to come will spread peace across the nation.About the constitutional safeguard to the region, the speaker said that within time the people will be facilitated and once the elected representatives are elected they will put forward the aspirations of native people including their demands. “Elected representatives will work as per the aspirations of people,” he said.

Regarding the UT status, he said that this region can’t be compared with the rest of the UT’s since this is quite a different place but the government has announced different development proposals and many institutions are being established besides there is growth.

To a question about the strengthening of Ladakh’s Hill Council, the speaker said that the Panchayat Raj act (rule) is being made and the government had stated that the Hill council will get more power and will be further strengthened so that people are facilitated more. “In times to come Hill council will be strengthened so that people are benefited and facilitated more by the native government”, he said.He further said that “I will hold deliberations with the people of this region and apprise the government about them.

 The armed forces would not let political turmoil in any other country affect India, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Thursday in a reference to the crisis in Afghanistan.Birla is on a week-long trip to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as part of the ‘parliamentary outreach programme for empowerment of panchayati raj institutions’.Birla said he is visiting the region to strengthen the panchayati raj system and democratic institutions.

Asked about recent political crisis in Afghanistan, Birla said India favours democratic system flourishing in all countries.”We have full faith on our armed forces that they wouldn’t let political turmoil in any other country (Afghanistan) affect India,” Birla said.On the recent tensions on the LAC, Birla said, “India is capable of safeguarding its borders and people. And the country is against expansionism and cross-border terrorism.”He further said border tensions arise due to expansionist approach of few countries.Birla is scheduled to visit far-flung areas of Ladakh region including Pangaong Lake and Nubra Valley. He will also visit Pahalgaon and Srinagar and interact with panchayat leaders from all these places.