Ladakh facing discrimination at the hands of successive state governments: BJP
Jammu, December 29 ,(Vijay Kumar) – Referring to the inclusion of Bhoti language in the 8th schedule of Indian Constitution,J&K Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora today said the matter has already been recommended by the State Government and is under active consideration of the Centre. He said mother tongue is the best medium for imparting education to a child, adding that alongwith Kashmiri and Dogri, Bhoti should also be taught in Government educational institutions of the region.
Addressing a seminar organized by Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association, Jora said that Ladakh region, like other regions of the State, is marching fast towards prosperity and gets its due share for all round development from the Centre and the State Government’s.Reiterating Government’s commitment to fulfill the aspirations and equitable development of all the regions of the State, Rigzin Jora dismissed allegations of any discrimination meted out to any region in respect of development and other welfare measures.
Giving details, the Minister said that Ladakh gets about Rs. 1707 crore for upgradation of road connectivity, power and tourism development under the PMRP. He said during the past six years two more Tehsils, three community blocks and four Higher Secondary Schools have been carved out in Leh Ladakh.
The Minister said almost all the villages of Leh, district have Government educational institutions, health centres, power facility and CA&PD outlets. “If we compare Leh to other districts of the State, the people of the area have better basic facilities than elsewhere in Kashmir or Jammu regions”, he maintained.
Mr. Jora said opening of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Ladakh route has also been taken up with the Centre from time to time. He hoped that Union Government would again take up the matter with China so that pilgrims of the country have darshan of this holy place through shortest route of Leh which in turn will boost the economy of the region.
Giving details of tourism development in the region, the Minister said that Ladakh has its distinct identity and is rich in adventure tourism. He said efforts are on to explore the unidentified tourist destinations of the area, adding that two Tourist Development Authorities have been set up in the region to create tourism infrastructure and developing of hidden tourist destinations of the area. He said the Centre has approved a project of Rs.25 crore for restoration of heritage sites of Ladakh which would be preserved in a phased manner.
He said that Ladakh has registered significant tourist arrival this year with 70,000 tourists visit Ladakh every year and stay their for 15 to 20 days, which boosts the economy of the area.
He extended support for their struggle for equitable treatment and particularly for their demands to include Bhoti language in 8th schedule of Indian constitution and the provision of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Ladakh.
Senior BJP leader Dr Nirmal Singh said that Ladakh facing discrimination at the hands of successive state governments, their language has not been included in the 8th schedule till date and many other pending which speaking about discrimination with the people of Ladakh.
Dr Singh extended his party fullest support to the struggle of people of Ladakh in support of their genuine demands.
MLA Udhampur Balwant Singh Mankotia termed the demands Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association most genuine and said his party will stood behind them in their struggle.
Brig (Retd) Suchet Singh deliberated over Chinese incursions in Ladakh and asked the Govt of India to take up this issue seriously and start concrete measures over china’s interference in our matters.
He asked the UPA as to why it has not made it clear to China that we will not tolerate any interference and that Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are integral parts of India.
In this address Prof Hari Om contrary to Govt claims the development took places in Ladakh said that no development seen so far in Ladakh on the ground as there is no proper toads, education, basic facilities etc.
‘The people of ladakh too are as equal citizens of India that of Kashmir and Jammu and hence their demands too need to be redressed’, Prof Hari Om said, adding, special attention needed to Ladakh by the Govt.
Tashi Targis, the Association President, Convenor Dr. Anil Kumar were also spoke and highlight demands of Ladakh.
Meanwhile A deputation of Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association, accompanied by the Minister for Tourism and Culture Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora today called on Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and submitted a memorandum of demands .
The deputationists sought his assistance for apprising the Union Government to include the Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule of Indian Constitution, which they said was a long pending demand of the people of Ladakh.
They also demanded opening of Kailash Mansarovar route via Demjok for pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrine, as the place is sacred for both Hindus and Buddhists. The opening of this route will be beneficial for the neighboring country China as well, as it will improve the economy of the region, they informed.
The Deputy Chief Minister assured the deputationists that their demands would be taken up with the Union Health Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad who has already recommended their case before the Union Government. He said the demands will also be taken up with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, for sympathetic consideration.