J&K Students Association Ladakh President meets CEC Kargil, raises students’ issues

KARGIL: The Ladakh chapter president of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, Mohd Hasnain Rocky, on Wednesday called on the Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Jaffer Akhoon, and submitted a detailed representation highlighting various issues faced by students from Kargil studying in Jammu and other parts of the country. 

During the meeting, Hasnain congratulated the LAHDC Kargil, Executive Councillors, Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Member of Parliament Ladakh, and all Councillors for unanimously passing the new Teacher Transfer and Hostel Admission Policies. He appreciated Dr. Jaffer Akhoon for this landmark initiative and urged that these policies be implemented effectively at the grassroots level rather than remaining limited to paper. 

Rocky apprised the CEC of several pressing challenges confronting Ladakhi students. He pointed out that students, particularly girls, are encountering difficulties in securing admission to paramedical colleges and Jammu University due to domicile-related barriers, and sought immediate intervention to resolve the issue. 

He also raised concern over the recent hike in annual hostel fees from ₹2,500 to ₹12,000 which has placed a heavy burden on students from economically weaker backgrounds. He appealed to the authorities to reconsider the decision in the interest of the student community. 

Hasnain further drew attention to the acute shortage of accommodation in the Girls Hostel at Jammu, where several students in Block D are reportedly forced to sleep on the floor due to a lack of beds and basic amenities. He urged the CEC to ensure timely provision of adequate facilities and accommodation. The association president also requested the introduction of an e-bus service between Sidra Hostel and Panjtirthi to ease the daily commute of students. 

Raising another concern, Rocky highlighted the issue of excessive electricity bills in student hostels, calling for an inquiry into the billing process. The matter, he said, has already been brought to the notice of the Managing Director, Power Development Department (PDD), Jammu. 

He also brought up the delay in the disbursement of National Scholarship Portal (NSP) scholarships for the academic year 2024–25, noting that many students are facing hardships due to the delay. Upon being informed, the CEC immediately contacted the concerned Director and assured that the post-matric scholarships would be credited within two days. 

Rocky also sought an update on the status of the committee constituted earlier to review the substandard repair works of hostels in Jammu, a matter that had been discussed in the presence of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.

Rocky urged the CEC to take prompt and concrete measures to address these issues in the larger interest of students from Kargil. The Hon’ble CEC assured full support and stated that he would personally visit the hostels in Jammu in November to interact with students and concerned authorities from Jammu and Kashmir.