A delegation, led by Dr. Mansoor Ali and comprised of PhD holders in Agriculture, Horticulture, and Veterinary Science from Ladakh, met with the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat on January 24. The delegation included Advisor Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary Sanjiv Khirwar, ADGP Ladakh Dr. SD Singh Jamwal, Secretary to LG Ravinder Kumar, and Secretary Michael D’Souza.
During the meeting, Dr. Mansoor briefed the LG about the issue concerning the non-transfer of physical assets and posts of six units of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir to UT Ladakh. He sought the LG’s intervention for the swift transfer of assets and posts, enabling timely recruitment as candidates were approaching the age limit for applying. Dr. Mansoor also requested LG’s assistance in securing funding for 4 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and 2 Research Centers. Additionally, he urged the introduction of post-graduate or undergraduate courses in Agriculture at the University of Ladakh.
The LG engaged with Principal Secretary Shailendra Kumar of the Government Agriculture Production Department, UT J&K, directing him to expedite the transfer process of physical assets and posts to UT Ladakh. Shailendra Kumar assured the LG that the assets would soon be handed over to UT Ladakh, along with the associated posts.
The LG advised the PhD holders to meet Commissioner/Secretary Padma Angmo of Higher Education regarding the introduction of Agriculture courses at the University of Ladakh.
Later, a delegation led by Stanzin Yangskit, representing aspirants seeking government jobs on compassionate grounds under SRO-43, met with the LG. They highlighted the processing of their SRO-43 cases by the Home Department and requested expedited action. Some aspirants had already received appointment letters from concerned departments.
Dr. Pawan Kotwal informed the LG that the Home Department had 28 SRO-43 cases, of which files for 13 cases had been requested by the Police Department to transfer to UT Ladakh.
Secretary Michael D’Souza sought LG’s intervention for a one-time exemption for these long-pending SRO-43 cases, some dating back two decades, for speedy resolution.
The LG instructed the General Administration Department to settle these cases promptly. He emphasized assigning Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to verify the authenticity of compassionate cases and record proceedings through videos. Furthermore, he tasked ADGP Ladakh to assign DIG Ladakh Police, Shaikh Junaid, IPS, to go to J&K for transferring the files of SRO-43 cases.
