Leh, 10 December (H.S.): Former Member of Parliament and Ex Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Leh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal met the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, at the LG Secretariat in Leh, submitting an official representation requesting that all tender works up to Rs 20.00 crore be reserved exclusively for contractors registered under the Administration of UT Ladakh.

The representation, forwarded on behalf of the Ladakh Contractors Association, Leh and other stakeholders, highlights the urgent need to safeguard local contractors, ensure fair competition, and strengthen the regional economy and employment ecosystem.

In the representation, former MP explained that the Gazette Notification dated 18 September 2025, restricting contractor registration certificates to UT-Ladakh jurisdiction only, has left local contractors at a serious disadvantage while outside bidders increasingly capture major tenders.

“Given Ladakh’s unique geography, harsh climatic conditions and specialised logistical requirements, local contractors are best equipped to deliver quality, timely and cost-effective projects,” reads the representation, urging the UT Administration to reserve tender works up to Rs 20.00 crore exclusively for Ladakh-registered contractors in order to support local entrepreneurship, stabilise employment, and retain public expenditure within the region.

The demand is strongly backed by the recently formed Ladakh Infra Developer Alliance (LIDA), launched in May 2025, comprising 14 associations including civil and electrical contractors, transport unions and specialised plant-operator groups.

LIDA maintains that despite substantial contributions by local contractors to infrastructure building and employment generation, they are often sidelined after the introduction of online tendering that allows unrestricted entry of external contractors. The alliance has proposed reservations for projects valued between Rs 10–Rs 20 Crore for contractors holding the Ladakh Resident Certificate (LRC).

“Ladakh’s entrepreneurs and skilled workforce have the capability, experience and commitment to deliver world-class infrastructure. Yet systemic disadvantages prevent them from competing equally. Reserving tender works up to Rs 20 crore is not merely a demand — it is a necessity for fair opportunity, local empowerment and sustainable development of Ladakh,” said Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, adding that the reservation policy is critical at a time when Ladakh is undergoing major infrastructure expansion across roads, bridges, power and public works, while employment opportunities for locals remain limited.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar