Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Advisor to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor UT Ladakh/Administrative Secretary of the Home Department, chaired a significant meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Leh, dedicated to evaluating the “Action Taken Reports” stemming from the 31st meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC). This meeting underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to effective governance and fostering inter-regional cooperation.
The session delved into a spectrum of critical resolutions and decisions encompassing diverse sectors, including social justice, rural development, and healthcare initiatives, with a primary focus on expediting investigations and resolutions of cases concerning sexual offenses against women and children. Dr. Pawan Kotwal stressed the importance of the Fast Track Special Cases (FTSC) scheme’s effective implementation to accelerate the disposal of cases under the POCSO Act, ensuring swift justice and alleviating case backlogs.
Additionally, discussions revolved around extending banking facilities and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms to rural areas, with a specific emphasis on expanding banking coverage to 34 villages through bank branches and postal banking facilities, alongside achieving 100 percent digitalization of all eligibility certificates. These measures aim to enhance financial inclusivity and facilitate seamless transactions for rural communities.
The meeting also addressed the adoption of Model Bye-Laws for new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to enable them to engage in over 25 economic activities, furthering agricultural infrastructure, and the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY) to bolster healthcare provisions.
Efforts to combat malnutrition among girl children through the POSHAN Abhiyan and concerns regarding the dropout rate of school children were thoroughly discussed, reflecting the administration’s commitment to holistic development and welfare.
Advisor Dr. Pawan Kotwal urged all concerned officers to expedite action and submit comprehensive action taken reports within 15 days, emphasizing the importance of timely implementation and follow-up. The meeting witnessed the presence of key officials including the Principal Secretary of the School Education Department, the Additional Director General of Police, the Commissioner/Secretary of the Social and Tribal Welfare Department, and other relevant department heads and officers, reaffirming the collective commitment to advancing the region’s socio-economic landscape through collaborative efforts and effective governance.