Breakthrough in Ladakh talks as Centre agrees to create elected body for UT

Key Takeaways

• MHA to consult experts on Ladakh UT body NEW DELHI: In a significant breakthrough, the Centre and Ladakh representatives Friday agreed on creation of an elected body at UT level "with full legislative, executive and financial powers", apart from having similar bodies in each of the seven districts.The two sides - which resumed talks after a gap of over three months, with environmentalist and activist Sonam Wangchuk, released in March after six months of detention under NSA, also joining in - reached an understanding on providing Ladakh constitutional safeguards - in matters like land, jobs and culture etc - under Article 371, as applicable to states like Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram.While the arrangement stops short of Ladakh bodies' central demands like statehood, Sixth Schedule status and UT with a legislature, it accommodates their essence and spirit, said a govt official.
• The proposed elected body at the UT level will have all bureaucrats of the UT, including the chief secretary, reporting to its executive head.
• Also, constitutional safeguards are being provided to Ladakh, though not under Sixth Schedule but under Article 371 A, F and G - pertaining to protecting regional customs, indigenous cultures and land rights, and ensuring equitable economic development.A press note issued by Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance after talks with home ministry representatives here, said MHA had explained that Ladakh could not be given statehood "at the moment" as it "currently lacks adequate revenue generation to meet revenue expenditures like salaries of employees."However, it added that "this setup will lead Ladakh towards full statehood as and when it meets the revenue criteria".The Ladakh bodies said the executive head of the UT-level elected body, "proposed to be chief minister", shall have control over all bureaucrats of the UT.
• A source said the two autonomous councils in Ladakh would also give way to elected bodies "with full legislative powers" in all seven districts.Govt sources said while there was a broad agreement on creation of the UT- and district-level bodies with full legislative powers, their composition, structure and operational details, including the legislative framework, will be decided by MHA and Ladakh bodies in consultation with legal and constitutional experts.LAB and KDA have been agitating for long, demanding statehood, Sixth Schedule status, constitutional protections and enhanced parliamentary representation for Ladakh.