Assembly pays tributes to former Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon

Jammu : The Legislative Assembly Friday paid rich tributes to former Legislator and Minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon, who passed away Friday.
While informing the House, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Qamar Ali Akhoon, describing his passing as an irreparable loss to the people of Kargil and to public in general.
Paying homage to the departed leader, the Speaker remembered him as a saintly and compassionate personality who dedicated his entire life to public service. Born on 15th August, 1957 in Sangrah Kargil, Akhoon emerged as a prominent voice of the region and represented aspirations of the people with sincerity, humility and unwavering commitment.
The Speaker recalled that Qamar Ali Akhoon was first elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in 1987. He was re-elected in 1996 and was subsequently inducted as Minister of State for Works and Power, where he worked tirelessly to strengthen infrastructure and improve essential services in the region.
Highlighting his continued contribution to grassroots governance, the Speaker noted that in 2002 he was elected unopposed Councillor and later became Chairperson of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil. The late leader played a crucial role in advancing development initiatives and strengthening local self-governance in Kargil.
In 2008, he was once again elected to the Legislative Assembly and was appointed Minister for Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution and Transport. In these capacities, he was known for his administrative acumen, accessibility and people-centric approach.
The Speaker described Akhoon as an astute and articulate politician whose wit, intelligence and persuasive abilities earned him respect across party lines. He was widely regarded as a man of integrity and honesty who led a simple life, remained deeply connected to the grassroots and served the people selflessly without accumulating personal wealth or property.
Calling his demise a personal loss, the Speaker said that Ladakh has lost one of its most dedicated sons, whose contributions to public service and regional development will be remembered for generations to come.
The Speaker conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Later, as a mark of respect to the departed leader, the members of the House observed a two minute silence in memory of Qamar Ali Akhoon.