 Early Times Report
Jammu, May 1: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday lauded the patriotism and resilience of the people of Ladakh and Kargil, particularly those residing in border areas, saying they have historically borne the brunt of conflicts while safeguarding the nation’s integrity.
Addressing a public function in Leh, Shah said the people of Ladakh have always stood at the frontlines during crises. “Whenever there was tension on the borders, the Army reached later; it was the people of Ladakh who first faced the bullets to protect the nation,” he remarked, praising their unwavering commitment to national security.
Extending greetings on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, the Home Minister described the display of the sacred relics of Lord Buddha in the region as a historic and spiritually significant moment. He said that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the relics had been brought for public darshan, offering devotees a rare opportunity for spiritual connection. Quoting Lord Buddha’s teaching “Ap Deepo Bhava” (Be your own light), Shah urged people to embrace self-reliance and wisdom in their lives.
Highlighting development initiatives, Shah announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening Ladakh’s dairy and animal husbandry sectors through the cooperative model. He laid the foundation stone for a Rs 25-crore dairy processing plant in Kargil with a capacity of 10,000 litres per day, stating that it would generate livelihood opportunities, especially for women, and boost rural self-reliance.
He said the existing milk plant in Kargil would soon produce 500 kg of paneer and curd daily, reducing dependence on imports. With nearly 18,000 personnel of the Indian Army and ITBP deployed in the region, Shah noted that a robust local market for dairy products already exists.
To ensure transparency and quality, he announced a Rs 45-lakh mobile testing laboratory and the launch of an Android-based Animal Milk Collection System (AMCS) app, enabling farmers to digitally track milk collection and payments. The Home Minister also unveiled plans for a 5,000-litre-per-day dairy plant in Leh at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore, along with two animal husbandry centres in Leh and Kargil. These centres will introduce climate-suitable high-quality cattle breeds, with a target of inducting around 500 animals annually and tripling livestock numbers over the next decade.
Shah said the National Dairy Development Board has taken over the Ladakh Milk Federation network, which currently covers 28 villages and about 1,700 milk producers. He set a goal of extending cooperative coverage to 85 per cent of dairy-suitable villages. Milk procurement in Ladakh, he added, has reached 7,000 kg per day and is targeted to increase to 21,000 kg within four years.
Citing national growth, Shah said India’s milk production has risen from 146 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 248 million tonnes in 2024-25, while per capita availability increased from 307 grams to 485 grams per day. In Ladakh, milk production has grown from 15,000 metric tonnes to 24,000 metric tonnes, with per capita availability rising from 148 grams to 214 grams.
He called on the Ladakh administration to promote village-level cooperatives in dairy, pashmina, honey and organic farming, noting that India currently has over 2.36 lakh cooperative societies linked to nearly two crore milk producers, with plans to add 75,000 more in the coming years.
Referring to Ladakh’s Union Territory status granted in 2019, Shah said the region has witnessed rapid development across sectors. He highlighted the creation of new districts, expansion of Panchayati Raj institutions, and recognition of Bhoti and Purgi as official languages alongside Urdu, Hindi, and English.
Listing infrastructure gains, Shah said road length in Ladakh has increased from 1,799 km in 2019 to 4,400 km, bridges from 19 to 72, mobile towers from 344 to 653, helipads from 7 to 41, and snow clearance machines from 60 to 215. Electrification has also improved significantly, with grid-connected villages rising from 145 to 184.
He further noted that the closure period of the strategic Zoji La Pass has been reduced from 127 days annually to just 19 days, while the Kargil-Zanskar road closure period has nearly halved. Key infrastructure projects, including the Zoji La Tunnel, Sankoo Tunnel and a new civilian airport, are currently underway.
Shah said all Panchayats are now equipped with upgraded 4G connectivity and highlighted advancements in education and public services, including the establishment of Sindhu Central University, ICT labs, smart classrooms, astronomy labs and Atal Tinkering Labs. Nearly 98 per cent of households, he added, now have access to drinking water.
Calling it his first visit to Ladakh in seven years, the Home Minister once again praised the courage and sacrifices of its people and urged them to draw inspiration from the teachings of Lord Buddha while contributing to the region’s growth and national development. |
