Mehbooba welcomes creation of Ladakh division, but raises concern over exclusion of Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal regions

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], Feb 8 (ANI): Welcoming the creation of Ladakh as a third administrative division of Jammu and Kashmir, former state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said ignoring Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal regions raises questions over the Centre’s intention.
Her statement came hours after the Jammu and Kashmir government ordered the creation of a separate administrative division for Ladakh region.
People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba also hit out at Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik by accusing him of pushing the BJP's agenda by ignoring other equally deserving regions.
Mufti tweeted: "Creation of a separate administrative division for Leh is a welcome step. However, ignoring Pir Panchal & Chenab valley raises questions about the Centre’s intention. Seems like Guv sb is peddling BJPs agenda by ignoring  other equally deserving regions."
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday approved the creation of a separate Administrative Revenue Division for Ladakh, said an order issued by state Governor Satya Pal Malik. 
This division will comprise Leh and Kargil districts with its headquarters at Leh. Now, Jammu and Kashmir will have three divisions--Jammu, Ladakh, and Kashmir.
The creation of two posts of Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police (IGP) has been sanctioned for the new division. 
Ladakh is one of the most sparsely populated regions in Jammu and Kashmir and is the highest plateau in the state, with most of it being over 9,800 feet above sea level. The region is geographically isolated with an inhospitable terrain.
Consequently, the region is riddled with insurmountable problems with respect to delivery of developmental schemes, redressal of public grievances, the conduct of administrative affairs and governance, said the government.
The people of Ladakh have for a long time been demanding effective local institutional arrangements which can help accelerate the pace of development and equitable all-round growth and development, it said.
"At present, the powers of local governance have already been decentralised by the formation of Hill Development Councils for the Lehand Kargil Districts. This was given effect by enacting the Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act, 1997," the order said. Under the said act, the Hill Development Councils were established both for Leh and Kargil districts.
The decision came after various organisations discussed the issue and put up a persistent demand for the creation of a division for Ladakh including the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) Leh and Kargil.
As per the official statement from the state Governor, this decision of the government will go a long way in fulfilling the governance and development aspirations of the people of Ladakh region. (ANI)