Title: Need to air-lift essential commodities to Ladakh region to meet the shortage in the region.
SHRI CHHEWANG THUPSTAN (LADAKH): : The entire Ladakh region is faced with a crisis situation due to shortage of essential commodities which could not be stocked in sufficient quantity due to sudden blockade of National Highways linking Ladakh with rest of the country. The situation has further been precipitated due to unusual heavy snowfall experienced in the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir including Ladakh. There is an apprehension that the road link between Srinagar and Leh, and Manali and Leh would take longer to be restored and the roads may not be connected before second week of June. Under the circumstances, necessary arrangements shall have to be made for transporting essential commodities through Air Force Services Aircraft. I would request the Government of India to intervene in the matter and arrange for air-lifting of essential commodities in service aircraft of the Defence Ministry so that essential commodities could be made available to the people in Ladakh region.