The chairman of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council–Kargil has made serious allegations against Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, accusing him of sidelining the district in development planning and demanding transparency through a white paper on all works undertaken since Ladakh's transition to Union Territory status.
Systemic Neglect in Healthcare Infrastructure
Dr Muhammad Jaffar Akhoon, the LAHDC-Kargil chairman, voiced his concerns publicly on Monday, marking a rare instance of an elected body in Ladakh challenging the Lieutenant Governor. He highlighted what he described as "systemic neglect" of Kargil's health infrastructure that has persisted for decades.
"We were sanctioned a 100-bed hospital in 1979. Since then, we have been running it as a 200-bed hospital with staff strength of a 100-bed facility," Akhoon revealed during his statement. He emphasized that the district has been seeking an AIIMS institution for years without any significant progress.
The healthcare challenges become particularly acute during winter months when civilian and armed forces deployment pushes the existing hospital beyond its capacity. Akhoon stressed that Kargil urgently requires a full-fledged 300-bed facility capable of handling emergency cases, including cardiac emergencies.
Stark Contrast with Leh's Development
Dr Akhoon drew a sharp comparison between Kargil's situation and the development witnessed in Leh. While Kargil struggles with basic healthcare infrastructure, Leh has been sanctioned a medical college that is scheduled to begin MBBS admissions next year. Additionally, Leh already benefits from a 300-bed hospital alongside a major Army-run medical facility.
The infrastructure disparity extends beyond healthcare. Akhoon pointed out that Kargil lacks an airport, forcing both civilians and Army personnel to travel through Srinagar or Leh for flights. This becomes particularly problematic during winter when Leh remains connected by several daily services while Kargil remains completely cut off.
Political Context and Governance Challenges
Dr Akhoon disclosed that he recently met with Lieutenant Governor Gupta, who allegedly acknowledged that Kargil has faced discrimination. However, Akhoon noted that "it doesn't reflect anywhere" in actual policy implementation. He emphasized that "The LG is LG of the entire UT of Ladakh. He should treat every region equally."
The political landscape in Ladakh adds complexity to the situation. LAHDC-Kargil currently stands as the only elected body functioning in Ladakh. The Leh council completed its five-year term on October 30, but the government has yet to announce new elections. Panchayat elections have also been pending for several years, creating a democratic deficit in the region.
The institutional framework dates back to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act of 1995, enacted during Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao's tenure. The first elections for Leh council were held the same year. A parallel council for Kargil was established later in 2003 during Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's tenure. Elections for both councils are constitutionally mandated every five years.
Attempts to reach Lieutenant Governor Gupta for comments on these allegations were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
