In the midst of widespread protests across Ladakh, the Central government is contemplating granting special protections akin to those outlined in Article 371 of the Constitution to the Union Territory.
Reports suggest that during a meeting between representatives of the region—Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance—and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the minister assured that concerns regarding land, jobs, and culture would be addressed through tailored provisions under Article 371.
However, Shah conveyed that fulfilling the demand for inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution or establishing a legislature, similar to Jammu and Kashmir, was not feasible for the government given Ladakh’s status as a Union Territory without a legislature.
A leader from Ladakh, part of the discussions, shared that Shah empathized with the region’s concerns and expressed readiness to allocate up to 80% of jobs for locals, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised.
Representatives of the region also engaged with top officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), including Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, to convey the aspirations and grievances of the people.
The recent surge in protests in Ladakh has been multifaceted, encompassing demands for statehood, legislature establishment, Sixth Schedule inclusion, and apprehensions regarding environmental degradation due to potential industrialization.
Notably, the absence of a legislature in Ladakh has led to frustrations among locals who feel sidelined in the decision-making process, leading to bureaucratic dominance.
While rejecting the demand for a separate legislature, Shah assured the delegations from Leh and Kargil that the government would ensure representation and participation of locals through hill councils.
The minister proposed empowering hill councils with substantial authority and promised a budget allocation akin to that of a state, aiming to assuage concerns regarding governance and local autonomy.
Meanwhile, a government-appointed high-powered committee is actively examining the demands put forth by Ladakh, indicating the administration’s willingness to address issues related to culture, language, land, and jobs, albeit not necessarily in the manner sought by the representatives.
Despite the assurances, leaders from Ladakh affirmed their commitment to pursuing their demands through democratic channels, underscoring the ongoing dialogue between the region and the central government in the pursuit of equitable solutions.
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