Leh dreams of raising a software park

Though the area expects software and hardware to be a future provider of employment for thousands of local youth who leave to work or study in Delhi, Jammu or Srinagar; its proposals have hung fire for more than a year now. ‘‘We were in touch with the earlier IT Minister Arun Shourie with whom we’ve had a round of discussions on the software park recently. After another meeting to gather his perspective and plans, on around the 14th, I will meet new IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran,’’ said Chhewang, who gave up charge as Chairman and Chief Executive Council of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) on becoming MP.

Ladakh’s demands for the IT Park were considered by the previous government, along with similar requests from various other quarters, but no decision was arrived at since the returns on investment were not expected to be very high.

‘‘This business does no require intense marketing, nor does it face any competition locally. Even our environment is suited to manufacturing. We even have the capacity to generate cheaper electricity to run the park,’’ Chhewang says. Last year two large hydel power projects were approved in Ladakh – Nyemo-Basgo wit 60 MW capacity and 50 MW Chhutak project in Leh that NHEP has already stared work on. Though diesel is the main source of power in homes and shops, three micro hydel projects are already functional and three more are under implementation in Ladakh and Kargil.

‘‘Both large projects are expected to be commissioned by 2008, so there will be no electricity shortage, at least for homes and the park,’’ says Chhewang, adding, ‘‘Leh has several small solar power projects that are eco-friendly. We generate 25KW in Nyoma and 35KW in Durbuk. These can be expanded to back up the software industry’s needs.’’

But foremost on Chhewang’s agenda is Leh’s brain-drain. ‘‘Our children leave because there is no scope for employment locally. The advantage is that many of our youth have now been through the new education system outside Ladakh, so they can be gainfully employed in software. IT can employ our skilled and train the unskilled,’’ he says.

If Leh’s software park makes headway, Chhewang says he will encourage district Kargil, which formed its Autonomous Hill Development Council (KAHDC) last year. ‘‘I don’t represent just Leh any more, but Kargil as well so there will be no favouritism.”