Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 10
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Ladakh later this month, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, as the government moves ahead with infrastructure projects and discussions on political and constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.
Rijiju indicated the possible visit during an address at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Druk Padma Karpo School in Shey, although he did not give a date.
Officials are finalising the prime minister’s itinerary.
His visit is expected to include the launch of infrastructure projects focused on all-weather connectivity, telecommunications and civic amenities.
The visit comes as the Centre and Ladakh representatives discuss a proposed governance framework for the Union Territory, including constitutional and legislative safeguards covering land, employment, culture and local interests.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is working on proposals under Article 371, while discussions are also under way on the creation of an elected UT-level body and the distribution of powers between it and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils.
The administration has expanded Ladakh’s district structure from two districts, Leh and Kargil, to seven, adding Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass.
The Hill Council system is also being extended to all seven districts.
Modi is also expected to visit Chumur, a settlement near the Line of Actual Control, where the government is developing Ladakh’s first model border village under the Vibrant Villages Programme.
Chumur is among 10 villages planned for development as model border settlements in the programme’s first phase.
