In a brief program at Raj Niwas on Tuesday, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, R.K. Mathur donated two reusable cotton masks each to two Antodaya beneficiaries and three migrant labourers from Doda district working in Ladakh, while flagging off a campaign of distributing masks to all Antodaya beneficiaries and migrant labour in Ladakh out of the LG Fund. Advisor to LG, Umang Narula, Commissioner/ Secretary Health Ladakh, Rigzin Samphel and Divisional Commissioner, Ladakh, Saugat Biswas attended the program among others. LG Mathur declared that about 30,000 Antodaya beneficiaries and 14000 migrant labourers working in Ladakh will be provided two masks each out of the LG fund. He complimented the various voluntary organisations and self-help groups who are involved in producing the masks in both Kargil and Leh districts and asked them to ensure that the required masks are produced in a time-bound manner. The Lt. Governor said that masks will be provided to the needy beneficiaries in keeping with the Prime Minister’s advice to all the citizens of the country to wear masks at all times as a precautionary measure against the spread of novel coronavirus. He also exhorted all the people of Ladakh to download and register on the Arogya Setu App as a mandatory step to stay safe from the infection of COVID-19 pandemic. Advisor, Umang Narula informed that out of the LG fund, financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 each is being provided to five needy patients undergoing treatment outside Ladakh. He added that this fund is also being used to provide financial assistance to other needy patients and students in financial distress who are stuck outside Ladakh during this period of lockdown. “All such cases for financial assistance received on the Ladakh-connect App which is available on connect.ladakh.gov.in and through the various helplines will be examined under a due process and recommended for approval of assistance by the Hon’ble LG,” he added. Divisional Commissioner Ladakh, Saugat Biswas apprised that the masks are being produced by various Self Help Groups under NRLM from Thiksey and Rambirpur in Leh district and from Minji, Shilikchey, Latoo, Chutumail (Youlthak), Chanigund, Hardass, Hardass Gound (New), Hardass Thang (New) and Akchamal (New) in Kargil district. He also informed that ITI, Handicraft & Handloom Departments of the twin districts, R-SEIT Leh, Ama Tsogspa of Nyoma and Anlay, various NGOs, PAGIR, ALTOA, SEWA, YDA from Leh are also producing masks under the supervision of District Magistrates of Leh and Kargil districts respectively.
